Matlock secure second place with five-star win over Ashington
Matlock Town ensured they will enjoy home advantage in the play-offs as a 5-0 win over Ashington secured a second-place finish in the NPL Division One East.
The result was never in doubt once the Gladiators went in front just 90 seconds in and they would go on to be rarely troubled by Ashington who are still not mathematically safe from relegation.
And it means a more relaxed final two games of the regular season lie ahead for Matlock before the high-pressure play-offs begin.
Conor Washington returned to the side after being rested for a couple of games and had Matlock in front inside two minutes.
A good break forward saw Washington fed by Tom Elliott and he ran on to finish low past Matty Alexander in the Ashington goal.
The second goal wasn’t long in coming and it came from another fast counter, as Theo Upton and then Washington combined to find Cameron Wilson in space and he fired low across goal and into the corner of the net.
That would be that in terms of first-half goals but the Gladiators continued to dominate without seriously testing Alexander again, Ashington themselves creating very little at the other end.
The second-half followed a similar pattern as Matlock didn’t need to break into too much of a sweat in pursuit of the points.
Upton saw an effort well saved in the early stages but the hosts had to wait until the 71st minute before the third goal came as Washington broke into the penalty area hammered a powerful left-footed shot high into the net – that being his last action as he was replaced moments later.
It would then be two of Matlock’s substitutes who would produce memorable goals late on to put a gloss on the result.
First, Jeremie Milambo cut in from the right hand side before curling a fine left-footed effort into the far corner of the net.
Then, as the game entered stoppage time, Alfie Atherton let fly from a central area some 30 yards out and the ball dipped over Alexander’s despairing dive and rounded off the win in style.
Matlock: Lambton, Eratt-Thompson, MacDonald, Williamson, Granite ©, Wiley, Upton, Bachirou, Washington (Viggars 72), Elliott (Milambo 80), Wilson (Thompson 79).
Not used: Mbayo
Att: 712