Play-off heartache for Matlock as Avenue progress to final
Matlock Town’s hopes of an immediate return to the NPL Premier Division ended on Tuesday night as they lost their Division One East play-off semi-final at home to Bradford (Park Avenue).
A crowd of nearly 1,300 gathered to try and will the Gladiators on to a home final this weekend, but Ben Andreucci’s late goal ultimately sent the visitors through to a final at Emley on Saturday.
It was a textbook performance from Bradford who were technically inferior but physically superior to their hosts and whilst not having as much possession or attacking threat, took their chances when they came.
They went in front on 23 minutes when Prince Ekpolo got space to break into the penalty area and square for Marcus Carver to sweep home from 12 yards out.
Matlock saw Declan Eratt-Thompson hit the post before they levelled on the stroke of half-time when Conor Washington was fouled in the penalty area and Cameron Wilson stroked home his 29th goal of the season from the penalty spot.
But despite plenty of the ball in the second-half, Matlock couldn’t turn the screw and when Bradford chased down what looked a lost cause down the right hand side on 85 minutes, the eventual cross wasn’t cleared and Andreucci’s low shot found the net via the hand of keeper Declan Lambton.
It meant huge disappointment for Matlock who registered 88 points in the regular campaign, beaten only by runaway champions Redcar, but will ultimately look back at their performances against the higher-ranked sides in the division throughout the campaign as one of the reasons for not having secured promotion.
Interim boss Ryan Cresswell said: “I’m devastated for everyone associated with the club. Congratulations to Bradford and I wish them well in the final. They’ve had two moments in the game where we could have done better and that’s the biggest disappointment for me.
"We had numerous chances and dominated possession and played some good stuff. The first goal changed the game positively for us as we were playing with a bungee on until they scored and then the reaction after they scored was superb, to get the goal and then start the second-half as we did.
"We had them on the ropes but just lacked that cutting edge in the second-half and just had to make better decisions. They then hit a hopeful ball forward in the channel and cut it back and we don’t get out to the lad who has the shot and it’s deflating.
"A special thank you to the fans who made the atmosphere special. Ultimately we’ve failed in reaching our target and that’s football.”