A rampant first half hour from the Gingerbreads in the Derbyshire sunshine set the tone for a comfortable three points for the Gingerbreads. Despite conceding late goals in each half again, the win for Grantham was never really in doubt.

From the first minute, Grantham were on top, forcing a corner, but Luke Shaw shot over the bar. Matlock goalkeeper Phil Barnes just beat Lee Shaw to a through ball after six minutes, but the hosts couldn’t keep Grantham out for long.

With 16 minutes on the clock, a long clearance was gathered in by Jordan Hempenstall. He went on to slip the ball past Barnes for his first goal of the season.

Six minutes later, it was two for Grantham. Matlock failed to clear a corner and Curtis Burrows hit a low strike from eighteen yards out into the bottom corner of the net.

The home side mounted a rare dangerous attack a few minutes later. Marc Newsham battled well for the ball and brought a good save from Kieran Preston. With Matlock chasing shadows, it was no surprise that Grantham extended their lead 13 minutes before half time. Danny Meadows got to the by-line and laid a perfect pass for Lee Shaw to place a firm shot into the net.

The game seemed won, but Matlock got a toe-hold right on the break. Dwayne Wiley combined with Ted Cribley to set up Newsham to nod the ball home from six yards out.

Matlock put in a better performance in the second half as the two sides traded chances. Meadows headed over and Lee Shaw was denied by Adam Yates, while for Matlock, Shaun Harrad fired a free kick wide and the home side forced a scramble in the Gingerbreads penalty area that a relieved defence won.

Substitutions by the home side seemed to give them extra impetus, but the Gingerbreads defence remained solid, frustrating their hosts. Referee Mr Watson handed the home side a further boost with twenty minutes left when he showed Lee Shaw a second yellow card for challenging too close to Barnes as he cleared the ball.

Preston was almost the villan for Grantham when he came for a cross and left Luis Rose a free header, but the Matlock striker missed the target. Preston was back to his usual self a few minutes later, saving well from Harrad.

The scoreline got closer two minutes into injury time when Cribley’s cross was headed home by Harrad, but it was too little too late as Grantham took another three points.

Goal highlights are available here