​Report for matches played on Saturday, February 13th 2010

Lions slip to rare defeat as Shirland close the gap

Topsy-turvy results brought Matlock & District Football League teams closer together as Darley Dale Lions suffered a rare defeat at the hands of Shirland Miners Welfare.

It was Shirland’s first league match for 67 days and they were determined to take maximum points to close the gap on the Lions. Both sides played attractive football with Shirland having the best of the chances, but it was Darley’s Martin French who scored on 21 minutes after the home team failed to clear a long throw.

Unperturbed Shirland force several fine fingertip saves from Lions keeper Gary Widdowson and it was unfortunate that he was penalised for a challenge on striker Ian Hursthouse, with the resulting spot kick coolly converted by Richard Harrison.

The second half saw both teams play some exciting, fast flowing football and again Widdowson was forced to make some fantastic saves.

Shirland's hard work finally paid off when Dale Hegarty stole the show with a powerful shot in the 89th minute to leapfrog Shirland into second position.

Both Hilcote United and Matlock Town Youth suffered setbacks. In a cracking encounter on Cavendish Fields, AFC Lea Holloway secured three vital points to extend their unbeaten league run to eight matches.

Both sides tried to play good football on a difficult pitch but played out a goalless first half. Matlock took the lead within five minutes of the restart, Tom Jackson poking home a rebound after unlucky Holloway keeper Andrew Bird had pulled off a wonder save.

Holloway took the game to their hosts and were rewarded within minutes. Holloway skipper Nigel Emberton was fouled 30 yards from goal and his quick free-kick put Shaun Bott in on goal to hit the equaliser.

The winner came minutes later, Bird's long kick was controlled by Emberton who laid the ball to Bott, who in turn sent the hard-working Scott Andrews down the left wing. Andrews raced for the by-line and his deep cross found Bott who struck first time on the bounce into the bottom left-hand corner from 15 yards for his 15th league goal of the season. Stout defending ensured Holloway came away with a crucial win against a good young Matlock side.

Hilcote lost league ground at the hands of a resurgent Laburnum Saints who scored all the goals in their 3-1 home triumph! Andy Clifton scored a brace and Pete Denton notched another goal to his league tally, while Dan Killick scored an own goal.

Equally, it was a good day for Riddings Rovers with victory over Crich’s Kings Arms at Ironville. Riddings goals came from Adam Coleman and Adrian Clarke with Pete Beresford netting for Kings.

Harveys’ Dave Armshaw produced a great 30-yard lob to secure his side a 1-0 victory over Black Hippo who always work tirelessly despite being unable to earn their first points of the season.

Young guns Tibshelf Community were the other winners of the afternoon with a 6-2 away victory at Ashbourne with goals from John Hart, Paul Barnes and four from Danny Bacon.

It’s Cavendish Cup quarter-finals day on Saturday (20 February, 2010) with Harveys Bar v Darley Dale Lions, Tibshelf Community v Matlock Town Youth, Riddings Rovers v Laburnum Saints and AFC Lea Holloway v Shirland Miners Welfare. League action sees Ashbourne v Hilcote United and Black Hippo v Kings Arms.