What a great afternoon ! We ventured into the Derbyshire dales to see Matlock Town entertain Bradford Park Avenue, although "entertain" is stretching it a bit! We were invited to the Reynolds Stadium by Kev's workmate and Matlock Town fan/volunteer helper, Phil Mumby - and Phil had arranged that we could get into the game as guests of MTFC, with the entrance money going to the APTCOO charity. So, another £16 added, and when Matlock match Secretary Ian Richardson stuck a quid in my hand it took the total to £690.00, without a ball being kicked in anger !!
Phil took the time between matchday duties to show us the brand new facilities at Causeway Lane. The new bar is very inpressive and can accomodate up to 500 people. At this game it was very, very well used! At half-time, Phil was behind the bar with three others, and they were all kept extremely busy!
Busy, busy! |
We very rarely partake in matchday food, but the 1:30pm start meant I'd gone without dinner -- chose a steak and kidney pie and peas - very economical and very nice at £1.60, although the crust was a little too well done! As the pies were being consumed, the players came out and Kev had to do a double shuffle, pie tray on the deck and camera out for the introductions!
Said hi to our friend and Assistant Referee Hriso Karaivanov, and then "Tall-Lad" Chris Dent had a quick word. So a gloriously sunny day, fantastic setting, a great drive in, decent snap, great company - just a shame the fooball let us down! It wasn't good!
Both teams had play-off asprirations before kick off - looks like Matlocks chance may have gone now. Defences were on top all throughout the first half, with chances at a premium. H-T 0-0.
Matlock's best chance of the second half fell to Paul Sykes, but he fired well wide when it looked easier to score. Even when Matlock introduced their talisman, Ross Hannah into the game it made little difference - the hit-man hardly had a kick during the half-hour or so he was on the pitch. Avenue had a couple of half-decent chances, but Adam Sollitt had very little to do. Until the 81st minute that is - when he had to pick the ball out of the net after AIDEN SAVORY had converted from the penalty spot. Definate penalty awarded after Sykes had brought down Matty James, although obviously the Town faithfull thought different! F-T 0-1
Both teams had play-off asprirations before kick off - looks like Matlocks chance may have gone now. Defences were on top all throughout the first half, with chances at a premium. H-T 0-0.
Matlock's best chance of the second half fell to Paul Sykes, but he fired well wide when it looked easier to score. Even when Matlock introduced their talisman, Ross Hannah into the game it made little difference - the hit-man hardly had a kick during the half-hour or so he was on the pitch. Avenue had a couple of half-decent chances, but Adam Sollitt had very little to do. Until the 81st minute that is - when he had to pick the ball out of the net after AIDEN SAVORY had converted from the penalty spot. Definate penalty awarded after Sykes had brought down Matty James, although obviously the Town faithfull thought different! F-T 0-1
Savory trickles the ball past Sollitt
So we said our goodbyes and headed off across the cricket pitch to the car, and were home by 5:30pm, despite the best efforts of some doddery old bugger in front of us, who enjoyed weaving all over the road, but clearly didn't enjoy going above 20mph!!
Admission £8 - kindly donated to APTCOO by MTFC
Programme £1.50 - decent read
Attendance - 395
Pukka pie and peas -- at £1.60 well worth it!
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