Matlock U19s open the season with a win

With the Gladiators side consisting mostly of 16 and 17-year-olds, the opening exchanges were eagerly contested and the first real chance came from a great through ball from Rogers to Featherstone to narrowly fire over the upright.

Further good chances fell to Matlock’s Hollands and Bradshaw but the opposing keeper stood firm resulting in a 0-0 half-time score.

A more determined Matlock side approached the second half. Levelle, Turner and White performed extremely well and spurned any early attacks, with Levelle marshalling the back four in fine style and Taafee having an accomplished game in goal.

Matlock took the lead in the 55th minute when a superb run from Bradshaw ended with Hollands side-footing the ball home.

From this point Matlock started to dominate the game with the midfield of Evans, Rogers, Harrison and Hollands working tirelessly to win the ball and set up new patterns of play, hence the forwards of Bradshaw and Featherstone being more of a threat.

The 75th minute saw evidence of this with a some good link up play from Evans and Harrison finding Bradshaw who again placed the into corner to seal a fine win.

The team is pictured in their new kit, sponsored by Nottingham-based IT services, software and support organisation Trisoft Limited, who are this season sponsoring both the match kit and training tops for the under-19 squad.