PHOTO | Jonathan Margetts fires Belper in the lead (Pic: Mike Smith)

The Gladiators started as clear favourites having won five of their six Premier Division League games while the Nailers had made a faltering start to their campaign.

Jonathan Margetts was the hero of the afternoon, bagging two goals from open play and one from the penalty spot

On a warm but cloudy September afternoon and in front of a packed house of eager spectators there was a buzz of excitement and expectation from both sets of supporters.

It was a cautious start to the tie with Matlock edging it on possession, but the Nailers looked up for the challenge with Sam Wright’s fierce shot in the 8th minute being deflected for the game’s first corner kick.

Further corner kicks came and went for Belper who were growing into the game better than their opponents and Brodie Litchfield struck a speculative shot from the edge of the area that went wide but nevertheless gave the Nailers confidence.

Yet another corner kick in the 25th minute led to the opening goal and with Matlock unable to clear the ball away, Litchfield’s effort from the edge of the area fell for Jonathan Margetts who was on hand to flick the ball over the line.

A few minutes earlier Belper lost Ben Rhodes with what appeared to be a hamstring injury with Harvey Kozluk coming on in his place.

Former Belper striker Ross Hannah had already left the field in the 7th minute leaving the Gladiators without their talisman.

Both sides put in a great deal of energy to nullify the efforts of the opposition however the Nailers handled everything that Matlock tried comfortably enough, and any attempts by the Gladiators to restore parity were easily dealt with.

The Nailers produced one of their best moves in the 39th minute which was started by Alex Peterson when he put Margetts in possession, and finally when Craig Nelthorpe’s curling finish grazed the far post.

The hosts were on the front foot after the break which was understandable, however they could only must two shots on target in the first 20 minutes with Alex Byrne and Callum Chippendale both having tame efforts that didn’t trouble Belper ‘keeper Myles Wright.

However the game burst into life in the 70th minute when Jonathan Margetts was tripped inside the penalty area as he bore down on goal, and the Nailers’ striker got up to convert the spot kick, while the perpetrator, Jamie Sharman was already in the dressing room having been red carded.

The cheers of Belper fans had barely died down when Margetts was through again, and despite the attentions of defenders and the onrushing ‘keeper, he managed to steer the ball over the line to make it 3-0.

The Gladiators tried to fight back but there was little they could do about the situation and they were lucky not to have conceded a fourth goal when Margetts was let free again in the 84th minute, but this time his shot came back off the underside of the bar.

The hosts’ best effort came in the 90th minute when Chippendale’s viciously dipping shot was well seen by Myles Wright, and the Belper ‘keeper came out bravely to snuff out Liam Hughes’ follow up effort.

It was a faultless display by the Nailers who thoroughly deserved to progress, and who knows maybe this victory may kick start their League season too.

Matlock Town: Rowley, Sharman, Kendall (Hall 88), Egerton, Qualter, Lees, Byrne (Chippendale 61), Wiles, Hughes, Hannah (Uchebgulam 7), Walker. Unused subs: Coppin, Hasani, King, Phillips.

Belper Town: Wright M, Woodcock, Rhodes (Kozluk 24), Bertram, South, Wilson, Litchfield, Wright S (Gregory 53), Peterson, Margetts, Nelthorpe (Curtis 76). Unused subs: Reeves, Mancinelli, Sandhu, Jordan.

Referee: Ben Tomlinson

Attendance: 1,052