Matlock Vipers........................2

Ashfield Scaffolding................1

AFTER a monumental struggle between two well matched teams, league title winners Vipers showed the greater determination to win and deservedly came out on top in this absorbig final at Matlock Town’s Geoquip Stadium.

Vipers came close straight from the kick-off when Michael Kimpton broke through, only to see his shot well saved, and Sam Page shot narrowly wide.

However, when Ashfield began to press Vipers struggled to hold them.

Nicky Walker made some timely tackles, but after ten minutes Ashfield scored with a shot into the top corner that left Sam Kelly with no chance.

But rather than let their heads go down Vipers flung off their defensive shackles and began to play football, and Ashfield began to get a taste of their own medicine.

Once again, Kimpton came close and James Reynolds, lively as ever, almost connected with the rebound but a rugby tackle, somehow unseen by the referee, stopped him in his tracks.

Ashfield were still dangerous on the break but weren’t able to get past Vipers rock at the back, Colin ‘Ninja’ Elkington, who, as usual, stopped everybody with his tackles and his ability to know what attackers are going to do even before they’ve thought of it themselves.

Ninja was more than ably helped out by Ollie Walden whose pace meant the nippy Ashfield striker caused no more grief for Kelly

Vipers created several chances themselves and, after a pinpoint Page cross found Kimpton, the Ashfield bar was rattled with a tremendous drive.

Soon after, the equaliser came in stunning fashion when, following good work from Dan Gurney on the left, the ball fell to Walden who unleashed an unstoppable shot over a crowded penalty box right into the top corner, followed by the most dodgy goal celebration seen this season.

Vipers were elated and Ashfield visibly deflated, but the scores remained level at the interval.

After the break it was nip and tuck to begin with but Vipers gradually took control and, once again, a Kimpton shot was well saved and Kelly, now playing out wide, saw an effort fly wide.

Ten minutes into the second half Vipers made the all important breakthrough in bizarre fashion.

Kimpton knocked a hopeful ball towards Reynolds on the edge of the box.

His presence upset the goalkeeper who missed his kick and was only able, like the rest of the players, to watch the ball trickle slowly over the line.

Ashfield now came on strongly and the tackles came flying in.

Reynolds defended from the front, Page outfought his opposite number, Kelly and Gurney tackled hard, as did Kimpton, while anything that did get through couldn’t breach the peerless Elkington and Walden.

Ashfield resorted to long range efforts that Kieran ‘The Cat’ Clarke dealt with fantastically.