The Lions created a host of chances but we’re unable to finish them off in a stalemate with Matlock Town, writes Adam Bridson.
Joe Cracknell kept his 15th clean sheet of the campaign after producing a string of saves in the second 45 and the Lions had their keeper to thank for preserving his side a point on the road.
The game, played in unbroken Derbyshire sunshine, got off to a frantic start. Lewis Whitham controlled a long ball forward and chopped in from the left hand side but fired wide of goal with home stopper Jason Alexander beaten.
Lebrun Mbeka, who was again playing an attacking role, found Gabriel Johnson with a long throw but the number 9s header went straight at Alexander with the forward crowded out by the home defence.
The Lions continued to have the best of the play and Jameel Ible was next to test Alexander from an Adriano Moke corner but his header was easily stopped by the 6ft 6 keeper.
Alexander twice denied Mbeka to keep the scores level, the first was an easy save from a long distance shot but he has to be alert to deny the number 5 at his near post.
Matlock had tried to play on the break in the opening stages but the Lions backline and Prince Ekpolo thwarted their attacking intent with several blocks and interceptions.
After 35 minutes the Gladiators had their first chance of the afternoon when Elliott Whitehouse’s overhead kick went straight into Cracknell’s grasp.
Alexander produced two big stops in the final five minutes of the half to keep our Johnson’s low shot and Whitham’s powerful drive.
Ollie Brown had a big chance too when he was found free on the penalty spot inside the box but he lashed wide.
Matlock manager Ryan Cresswell turned to his bench eight minutes into the second half introducing striker Josh Ayres.
Ayres made his presence felt after his introduction and headed wide of Cracknell’s post.
Mark Bower had seen enough and made a double change with Will Longbottom and Jamie Spencer introduced. It was Longbottom’s first minutes since mid-January after a spell out through injury.
Ayres was found in behind the Lions’ backline, as momentum began to shift, but Cracknell was alert to the danger and dashed off his line to save.
With 15 minutes left Mbeka was denied when his header hit Alexander and somehow stayed out of the goal and flew over the bar.
Three minutes later the game was becoming more end to end and Montel Gibson had a big opportunity to open the scoring. A corner found it’s way to Matlock’s number 9 who was unmarked at the back post, again Cracknell was the first to react as he narrowed the angle and saved with his feet.
Gibson was twice denied by the impressive Cracknell in the game’s next opportunities, first he kept out a shot which looked to have beaten the stopper. Gibson then headed goalwards but Cracknell tipped over.
It was Alexander who made the last save of the afternoon when Jack Emmett’s shot was heading for the top corner but the hand of the keeper, who only signed for Town 24 hours earlier, tipped the shot over.
In the dying minutes both Whitham and Longbottom had attempts but neither troubled an otherwise busy Alexander.
The Lions had to settle for a point and attention turns to a clash with Mickleover at Nethermoor on Saturday in a 3pm kick-off.
Matlock Town 0-0 Guiseley AFC | Saturday 8th March 2025 | Nethermoor Park
Attendance: 778
Team: 1. Joe Cracknell, 2. Lucas Odunston, 3. Liam Ridehalgh, 4. Jameel Ible (C), 5. Lebrun Mbeka, 6. Jake Lawlor, 7. Ollie Brown (71′ Emmett), 8. Adriano Moke (64′ Spencer), 9. Gabriel Johnson (64′ Longbottom), 10. Prince Ekpolo and 11. Lewis Whitham.
Subs: 13. Danny King (GK), 14. Jamie Spencer, 15. Jack Emmett, 16. Will Longbottom and 17. John Lufudu.
