12/01/2019

Derbyshire Divisional Cup Semi-Final

Whaley cruise past the current holders to reach the final.

Whaley continue a 14 game unbeaten run, in front of possibly the largest crowd seen at Whaley for some years, as they progressed into Derbyshire Divisional Cup final. Matlock Town Res currently sit at the top of the equivalent Step 7 Central Midlands Black Dragon South league having lost only one game; they are the current and consecutive holders of this trophy and bidding to match Whaley’s historic Cup winning record of three on the bounce achieved in 2007/8 2008/9 2009/10, In 20010/11. Since joining the CFL Whaley have competed in to the Derbyshire Senior cup and on a couple of occasions reached the quarter final stages losing narrowly to much higher placed opposition such as Alfreton and Ilkeston; this season however that cup is restricted to clubs under floodlights and so Whaley has reverted to the Divisional Cup North.

Matlock certainly turned up in force initially sending over a squad of 46 players to choose from and filling their respective 8 seater dugout twice over! Whaley, never guilty of arrogance, don’t take any game lightly and had taken the time out to watch their opponents previously on a couple of occasions. Accordingly the home side had a plan and started the brighter giving Matlock no time on the ball, closing down well all over the pitch and breaking up the play to limit their options.

With Matlock now sitting deep Tattersall went long and found Leadbetter in the opponents box, after instant control he jigged past a couple of players to release a shot that fortunately, for the home side, deflected off a couple of defenders to deceive Parker in goals to put Whaley ahead. Dwyer, though struggling with a knee injury, began to cause havoc with two mazy runs both ending in shots that whistled by the post. Dan Gilbride got the all-important second, after beating three players he fell but managed to get back to his feet to swivel and drill the ball in to the far corner; 2-0. Dwyer finished off another sweeping move by converting a Leadbetter cross and this followed soon after by another Sutton penalty after Dwyer was upended as he was about to shoot. Matlock claimed a penalty following an Ethan Knowles run in to Whaley’s area but were disappointed when the referee indicated that Whaley’s Jamie Kay got a first touch on the ball, nudging it to safety. So 4-0 at half time with Whaley in total control and the game all but over save a miracle comeback!

The second half started as the first had ended with the Whaley rear guard and midfield controlling things so much so that Tattersall didn’t have a shot on target to save. Whaley tied the game upwith two more goals; captain Sutton heading in afree kick at the near post and Dwyer finishing off a Leadbetter run by sidestepping his marker to smash the a left footer home from 12 yards,

On the down side the effervescent Jamie Kay played through the second half with what could be a broken bone in his shoulder to be confirmed one way or another by Xray.

Lucozade man of the match Jamie Kay.

Tattersall; Bailey; Toseland; Kay; Dunn; Gilbride (1); Broome; Sutton(2): Drayson; Dwyer(2); Leadbetter (1)

Odonnell (65); Peatfield (70); Gemmell (75)