Prescot Cables 2 Matlock Town 3

THIS was another game that could have gone either way.

Matlock started brightly with Kris Bowler, Simon Barraclough and Michael Sisson prominent. Cables replied with a Simon Garner shot over the bar.

Both sides continued to go close in an evenly-fought first period, with David Chadwick, Sam McNutt and man-of-the-match Steve Torpey threatening for Cables and Leroy Chambers, Barraclough and Ian Clarke having chances for the visitors. However, the game remained scoreless at half-time.

The crowd were still finding their seats at the start of the second half when Matlock finally opened the scoring when a goalmouth scramble saw the ball finding its way into the net, courtesy of Sisson.

Cables were down but by no means out and they hit back when Torpey's corner was only partially cleared and the ball fell to Eddie Taylor who blasted it in off the post.

On 72 minutes Kris Bowler converted Matlock a free-kick to restore the visitors' lead. Then three minutes later, with Cables still out of sorts, Bowler found himself in space to make it 3-1.

To their credit, the home men fought back and they reduced the deficit within two minutes, Mark Peers scoring from close range.

From then on most of the goalmouth action was at the Matlock end as Cables battled to draw level.

Peers, Adam Flynn and Taylor all went close but to no avail as Matlock held on.

Prescot Cables 0 Hyde United 1

DESPITE the disappointment of losing their first home match in the Unibond Premier Pivision, Cables can take some consolation from a game that could have gone either way against a side who were worthy winners of Division One last season.