Rushall Olympic 1-0 Matlock Town - Report and pictures

The Pics got off to a flying start when talismanic striker Richard Brodie put the home side 1-0 up after five minutes. A Josh Hawker free kick was flicked on at the front post for Brodie to prod into the back of the net from six yards out.

Matlock’s first crack at goal came on 10 minutes, when a ball in from the right was met by the head of Ricardo German. His effort was easily held by Joe Slinn.

Joe Hull could have perhaps doubled the lead on 22 minutes after another free kick into the box. This time Josh Webb put the perfect ball in only for Joe Hull’s effort to go wide of the goal.

It was Andre Landell’s turn to go close for Rushall on 38 minutes when his sweetly caught volley went just wide after AJ Adelekan’s long throw was only half cleared.

Matlock squandered a decent chance to equalise on 52 minutes when Kieran Wallace sliced wide from a good position after teammate German saw his shot well blocked by the Pics defence.

There was another chance for the visitors on 65 minutes, when Marshall Willcock got on the end of a free kick down the right. His effort went harmlessly wide of the left hand post.

Matlock hearts were in their mouths in the 73rd minute, when Rushall had two bites of the cherry in the opposition box. First, Hull rattled the crossbar from a Hawker corner. The rebound fell to Brodie, who saw his shot blocked on the line by teammate Danny Waldron.

The Pics had Josh Webb to thank for preserving their lead on 86 minutes. The full back made a superb block with Jake Green bearing down on goal.

It was another chance for Rushall in the 89th minute, when Landell received the ball from Brodie in the box. With the goal at his mercy, the shot went agonisingly wide.

Despite some heavy pressure in the closing stages, the Pics held on for a well deserved victory to keep their hopes of a top half finish alive.