Laura’s late leveller earns Baileans a valuable point

Matlock Baileans picked up what could be an important point on Saturday as they drew 2-2 at fellow MRHAWL strugglers North Staffordshire.
Laura Donaldson netted the Matlock equaliser at North Staffordshire.Laura Donaldson netted the Matlock equaliser at North Staffordshire.
Laura Donaldson netted the Matlock equaliser at North Staffordshire.

Matlock started well and dominated the first 20 minutes, rewarded when a short corner found Rachel Moor who slotted the ball home with a drilled strike into the corner.

The home side then stepped up the pressure on Matlock but good defence and also saves from keeper Ali Milyard kept them at bay until the equaliser finally arrived following a short corner just before halt-time whilst Matlock were down to ten players.

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The second-half saw Matlock attack from the off and Iris Kleckova thought she has scored only to see her goal disallowed.

North Staffs then launched a quick attack which ended with a hard strike from the top of the D which found the corner of the goal.

Matlock continued to battle and a tactical change saw more pressure added which paid off when another short corner routine ended with a blistering shot from Laura Donaldson that found the net and secured Baileans’ second point of the season.

Matlock host local rivals Belper on Saturday, kick-off 11.30am.

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Three second-half goals completed a remarkable comeback for Matlock thirds as they drew 3-3 at Findern.

Matlock started well but after four minutes Findern created their first opportunity and despite an initial save by Claire Moseley took the lead.

With Matlock struggling to control the midfield Findern were having the majority of the possession and on 25 minutes scored a second when the Matlock defence failed to clear.

What turned out to be a turning point in the game followed minutes before half-time, as the Findern forward went through on goal but a superb tackle by Sarah Newbury saved the day.

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Matlock gave themselves a lifeline ten minutes into the second-half as Becca Knowles converted following a goal mouth melee, but just two minutes later they were left open at the back and despite the Matlock keeper’s best efforts the ball was driven home by a Findern forward.

With conditions worsening Matlock pushed forward and Laura Loeber’s vision picked out Leila Pankhurst to pull a goal back.

Matlock were now in the ascendency and on 27 minutes the training ground zig zag short corner routine paid dividends - Loeber to Mary Liddiard to Knowles whose pass found Jenny Brown at the far post and she confidently drove the ball past the Findern custodian to earn a draw.

Liddiard was named player of the match.

Matlock fifths were beaten 4-0 by Burton in tough conditions.

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Burton opened the scoring in the first-half and the game was finely-balanced until the final 20 minutes when three further Burton goals sealed them the win.

Jo Wilmost was named player of the match for Matlock.

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