Witton Albion 2 Matlock Town 0

11:00pm Tuesday 11th September 2007

WITTON turned penalty kings to topple Matlock.

Two second half spot kicks sunk the Gladiators, whose spirited resistance had seemed set to frustrate a vibrant Albion.

That they did not was justice for Jim Vince's men.

Their football was fluid and laced with no little flair, leaving Matlock to defend with a mixture of desperation and heroism for long periods of the game.

Keeper Andy Richmond showed the former, earning a red card 15 minutes from time after scything down sub Dorryl Proffitt in the box when he went clear. Mark Peers' penalty was too strong for emergency custodian Gareth Williams.

Skipper James Lukic epitomised the latter and, Peers apart, he was the outstanding player on the pitch. But he alone could not smother the red and white tide that battered the visitors' rearguard from the first whistle.

Steve Brodie blazed over inside five minutes to send out the warning signal after Peers had scuttled past Ryan Davis for the first time of many on the night.

The visitors fluffed the easiest chance of the half seconds later.

Neil Ashley's pass towards Barraclough hit a Witton foot to inadvertently send Steve Taylor clear but, with only Kennedy to beat and time on his side, he curled an unconvincing shot past the upright. The Gladiators behind the goal held their heads.

Another Peers cross was headed off target by Adam Warlow after Alex Brown and Brodie played a part in the pattern.

The pressure was constant and, after Brown fired straight and Richmond and the keeper had parried Peers' curving free kick, Witton seemed certain to score first.

Brian Pritchard thought he had, but his goalbound header hit Simon Barraclough's back before squirming over the crossbar.

The second half followed the same script.

Richmond parried Cavell Coo's stinging shot on 54 minutes before Warlow was left red-faced after a calamitous miss of his own - the former Crewe Alexandra hotshot firing off target from close range with only the keeper to beat.

Taylor also repeated the first half plot, missing an even simpler chance on the hour.

He was lucky to find the ball at his feet following a fortuitous bounce but, six yards from goal, he blazed wildly off target when it was easier to score.

Peers than arrowed an unstoppable 25-yard shot off the post, leaving Wittoners wondering whether they would ever get to cheer a goal.

They did, but only after two moments of madness.

Firstly the referee pulled back play when Barraclough was clear on goal after Rob Lloyd clattered into Steve Circuit in the centre circle.

Then, from Albion's next attack, Richmond took out Proffitt after he scampered onto a short back pass to leave the match official with no choice but to show the red card. Peers' penalty was probably his most unconvincing contribution, but still the shot was too hot to stop.

Proffitt raced clear again from Warlow's cute header only to smash the ball out of Wincham before more penalty box blunderings saw Matlock concede a second spot kick.

This time three green shirts swamped Lloyd to send him crashing to the turf and Warlow thumped the penalty past Williams.

It was no less than he, and Albion, deserved.

---

STAR MAN: 11-Mark Peers - An easy choice to make, his was a peerless performance.

A constant menace with the ball at his feet, the visitors were unable to cope with his direct dribbling during a dazzling spell before the break.

The bad news for Witton is that in this form it won't be long before clubs higher up the non league pyramid come knocking on Jim Vince's door.

ALBION (4-4-2): 1-Kennedy (GK), 2-Coo, 6-Spearritt (14-Barras 70), 4-Pritchard (15-Kearney 82), 3-Brownhill, 5-Brodie, 8-Lloyd, 7-Brown, 11-Peers, 10-Crowe (12-Proffitt 70), 9-Warlow
Goals: 11-Peers 76 (penalty), 9-Warlow 82 (penalty)
Bookings: 8-Lloyd (foul)

MATLOCK (4-4-2): 1-Richmond (GK), 2-Laight, 5-Kirkwood, 6-Lukic, 3-Davis, 7-Webster, 4-Circuit, 11-Ashley (15-Williams 75), 8-Warne, 9-Taylor (12-Pidcock 82), 10-Barraclough
Sub not used: 14-Goff
Bookings: 5-Kirkwood (foul)
Sent off: 1-Richmond (GK) (professional foul)

Attendance: 393