Nailers fail at final hurdle

The Nailers were looking for a cup double after their success against Stamford in the UniBond League President’s Cup the previous week, but they found a resilient Gladiators defence a tough nut to crack.

Lee Stevenson was once again left on the bench with Luke Fedorenko and Ryan Hindley providing width in attack, but Belper’s cause was damaged as early as the 9th minute when Matlock took the lead after a mistake from Dean Oliver.

Dene Cropper took the ball around the outside of the Belper defence and crossed for Liam King to hook the ball home unchallenged leaving the Nailers on the back foot.

It took nearly 15 minutes before Belper made any impression on the Gladiators’ defence. Good wing play from Ryan Hindley saw him pass two defenders before crossing for Jon Froggatt who couldn’t get a shot in with his back to goal.

Dean Oliver had a weak effort saved easily by Adam Sollitt in the 16th minute, but Belper could have gone two down in ten minutes later after former Belper striker Ross Hannah slipped past Richard Haigh only to waste a golden opportunity in front of goal.

The Nailers had long spells of possession during the middle period of the first half with many intricate passing movements causing the Gladiator’s to chase about, but there was no end result because possession was eventually lost before damage could be done.

Froggatt turned well to despatch a shot from 25 yards that sped just wide then as the Nailers warmed up their supporters with some promising football Luke Fedorenko appeared to be felled by Sollitt as he chased the ball into the box.

But although pictorial evidence suggested a penalty should have been given, the incident happened on the blind side of the referee.

Belper’s good spell faded in the last five minutes of the half as Matlock threatened to unpick the Nailers’ back line.

Ben Algar had a 40th minute shot deflected just wide and two minutes later Adam Ogden (pictured) pulled off the save of the night when he tipped over King’s dipping shot.

With just one goal in it Belper began the second period positively enough although they nearly succumbed to the predatory talents of Ross Hannah, but the hot shot striker put his first effort wide, then in the 55th minute watched in admiration as Ogden denied his near post shot with another great save.

Matlock lost Algar after being stretchered off in the 66th minute, but this did little to help the Nailers who continued to be laboured with their build up play, and made life too easy for the untroubled Sollitt.

Substitute Danny Wood headed just wide in the 75th minute as Matlock grew strong again and Ogden denied Hannah three minutes later with another excellent save from a well struck shot.

But with caution thrown to the wind, the Nailers pushed players forward and for a few minutes gave the Gladiators something to think about, but almost inevitably after a Belper attack broke down on the edge of the penalty, area it took only seconds for Ross Hannah to take receipt of the ball and drill it past Ogden to seal Matlock’s first Derbyshire Senior Cup success in five years.

As for Belper, they will probably feel that they didn’t fully justify themselves on the night, but there is consolation in the fact that they did reach the final for the second time in three years and gave some impressive performances on the way to the final.

Belper Town: Ogden, Colliver, Barnard, Naylor, Harcourt, Haigh, Hindley (Rushbury 76), Telling, Oliver (Stevenson 50), Froggatt, Fedorenko (Warren 78). Unused subs: Adams, Mirfin.

Matlock Town: Sollitt, Yates, Brough, King, Haran, Lukic, Cropper (Witcombe 48), Warne, Joynes (Cartwright 90), Hannah, Algar (Wood 66). Unused subs: Benger, Buxton.

Referee: A Parker (Derby)

Attendance: 900

Man of the Match: Adam Ogden

Match Action:
http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/DrbyshrSnrCpFnl2010/index.html