Telford’s home tie with Matlock on Saturday November 6 was seen as a daunting task for home boss Hurst. Although his Telford side had pedigree, they were still a fairly new team from a very new town. The recent cup run though had helped promote the club, and suddenly attendance figures were booming and their exploits noted on the soccer map.
For a man who had scored a Wembley hat-trick himself during England’s tremendous 4-2 World Cup Final win over West Germany, Hurst knew the importance of planning, preparation and current form when realistically assessing Telford’s chances against Matlock. And to a certain extent, the Gladiators’ own Wembley victory a couple of seasons before and a top placing in the respected Northern Premier League, had already done much of the talking for him. But Hurst, a professional with more than 20 years experience in the top flight decided to take no chances and pinned-up reports of Matlock last few matches - and in particular their most recent away results - in the home dressing room for all to see and study. He highlighted their fantastic away sequence: 5-1, 4-0 and 2-0 scores to their credit.

Blend of experience
The Telford side suggested a fair old blend of experienced non-league, with some seasoned ex-pro’s including skipper Freddie Kemp, who had given many years of loyal service to Wolves, Blackpool and Southampton. And Jack Bentley, a loyal Telford stalwart with more than 800 games to his credit.
The good news for Matlock though was that Kemp was ill and struggling to make the starting line-up. However, also in Hurst’s squad was Ken Mallender, another experienced veteran who had given good service to Sheffield United — and latterly to Hereford United, helping them to a memorable FA Cup run, and played a key role in promoting the club to the Football League. Mallender in the days leading up to the Matlock game claimed: ‘This was as important to me as any I ever faced in the First Division.’

Brilliant gate from Derbyshire
The match attracted another brilliant gate, this time 2,033 fans including a large contingent from Derbyshire; but Hurst, still limping from an injury sustained in a midweek fixture at Minehead, shocked his fans when he was forced to leave himself out of the starting line-up - and even from the bench - as ever the professional, he was still not 100 per cent fit.
Although it was Matlock’s first game in the competition that season, they started well and with the three Fenoughty brothers firing on all cylinders, the Gladiators continued to cause Telford all sorts of early problems and it wasn’t too surprising when Scott put Matlock ahead after just 18 minutes following a teasing cross by Colin Oxley which the keeper fumbled.
The game quickly developed into a typical end-to-end, blood and guts FA cup-tie. Tackles were flying-in thick, fast and furious, with no prisoners taken. And after 36 minutes, came what the home fans believed was the turning point of the game, when Town keeper Brian Arblaster clashed with Telford forward Draycott, resulting in the latter player losing his footing.
As the Telford players appealed and demanded a penalty, the ball was rapidly cleared upfield to Oxley who centred for Nick Fenoughty to hammer the ball home to give Matlock a 2-0 lead. And yet, amidst scenes of anger and dismay, Telford somehow rallied and pulled a goal back just before half-time.
The first few minutes of the second period saw Telford continue the attack, and with just five minutes gone they deservedly equalised at 2-2. Telford’s goal coming after Kemp was tripped and the lively John Davies levelled from a free-kick.
The home cheering though had hardly died down before Matlock were back in front with Oxley scoring off a post to make it 3-2. As Telford’s game plan slowly deteriorated, Scott scored his second goal and Matlock’s fourth to put the result beyond doubt. But there was still more drama to come for the Gladiators’ as Peter Scott, chasing a hat-trick to finally finish Hurst’s battlers, fired a shot which spun crazily off defender Mallender and looped back over the home keeper to seal a 5-2 result.
MATLOCK TOWN: Arblaster, Goodwin, Smith, Chambers, Stott, Lukasic, Oxley, N Fenoughty, Scott, T Fenoughty, M Fenoughty.

Draw for 1st Round
So Matlock were back in the draw for the 1st Round Proper yet again, and once more hoping to pull a plum home tie with a top League club like Blackburn Rovers, their opponents at Causeway Lane from the 1974/75 glory season.
There was disappointment to say the least however, when the name of Wigan Athletic - at home - finally came out of the hat. Although a beatable team, Matlock’s clash the previous season and a 1-4 defeat, had left its mark in more ways than one. Officials had mixed feelings. Certainly they shared the fans disappointment in not drawing a top League side but they also realised that Wigan provided a potential passport to a club record 2nd Round tie - and again, the possibility of drawing a
League Club.
Three times before, Matlock Town had been knocked-out of the competition in the 1st Round just as the ‘big-boys’ arrived. At Crook Town in 1959, the Gladiators had drawn away but lost the replay. And just two years before Matlock bowed out to Blackburn 1-4 before a record gate of over 5,000 fans at Causeway Lane.
Wigan had knocked Matlock out the previous year at the same stage of the competition and cup-winning keeper David Fell had broken his leg after just 15 minutes - and had not played since.
This latest match played on Saturday November 20 attracted a crowd of 3,336 to Causeway Lane and even caused a few problems in the main stand with an excessive demand for seats by local and visiting VIPs.
In a brisk encounter, the Gladiators eventually managed to tame Wigan’s young Lions - who were still pushing for entry into the Football League — with Tom Fenoughty giving Matlock the lead from a deflected free-kick. The home side’s chances came thick and fast before Peter Scott headed another good effort narrowly wide.
Despite the lead, Wigan always proved dangerous on the break and the Town defence had to be at their very best to counter any threat. But just as the visitors pushed for an equaliser, Matlock broke free with two of the Fenoughty brothers creating an opening. Tom moved forward and lost the ball after a short dribble. The ball bounced free to his brother Nick, who saw a narrow opening and let fly from 25-yards with a half-hit bobbling shot which skidded low across the surface and into the corner of the net for a 2-0 score.
MATLOCK TOWN: Arblaster, Goodwin, Smith, Chambers, Stott, Lukasic, Oxley, N Fenoughty, Scott, T Fenoughty, M Fenoughty.

IMPORTANT MILESTONE
The result proved an important milestone for the small Dales club, for never before had they ventured so far in this prestigious competition; and as they savoured their magic moment they heard that Scarborough, their Trophy opponents from two years before, had held Darlington Town 0-0 before 4,858 spectators at their seaside venue. Scarborough later lost the replay 1-4 away. There were plenty of other cup shocks too with Northwich beating Rochdale; Derek Dougan’s Kettering putting out Oxford United; Minehead defeating Swansea; and Northampton bowing out to Leatherhead.

MANSFIELD AWAY!
The 2nd Round paired Matlock Town in a local derby with Mansfield Town — away! A formidable task indeed and slight disappointment once more as club officials believed they could certainly have been a match for the Third Division leaders at Causeway Lane.
Mansfield also boasted an unbeaten home record and in the last round of the cup had disposed of Huddersfield Town 2-1 at Field Mill. Matlock’s match at Mansfield also marked a second and equally important milestone for the club. For this game would be Matlock’s first ever on a Football League ground.
The build up however, for Matlock’s biggest game to date, was hit by the freezing weather. On Saturday December 18, blizzards hit much of the country and by lunchtime on the matchday the pitch was unplayable and the game became a casualty along with a host of other similar ties.
The following Tuesday, the match was cancelled again! This time the thaw was deemed responsible and to add to the problems, Field Mill was then blanketed in thick fog!
Eventually, it proved third time lucky for the Gladiators and the match was eventually re-arranged for the following night, a Wednesday. Before the game, player-manager Tom Fenoughty told his players he believed Mansfield were beatable - even on their own turf. He had recalled playing there some years before for Chesterfield when they hammered the Stags 5-0. He also told his players of a shock cup knock-out for Mansfield the previous season — to Durham Amateurs Tow Law Town 1-5.
As the game finally got underway, it came as no great surprise when Mansfield attacked solidly for the first 20 minutes or so; forcing the Gladiators to hastily re-organise to counter any threats — particularly from tricky home left winger Jim McCaffrey, a proven match winner. Yet, despite the continued pressure, it was Matlock Town who took the lead through defender Dave Goodwin following good movement from Peter Scott and Nick Fenoughty.

As Mansfield hit back, keeper Brian Arblaster was called upon to make save after save before Paul Matthews equalised for the Stags. However, within a minute or so, Matlock are ahead again, Goodwin’s free kick rebounding from Scott’s chest, with Nick Fenoughty on hand to score inside a post.

After 60 minutes Mansfield were level again. This time Foster scoring. The home team’s euphoria though was short lived as Matlock quickly hit-back again to lead 3-2. Winger Colin Oxley delighting the baying crowd to make it 4-2; before Scott’s goal and Matlock’s fifth of the night, completed one of the biggest giant-killing acts for decades.

Matlock’s result also clawed back some of the glory given to fellow NPL members Northwich Victoria the previous night, recording their own piece of FA cup history after defeating Third Division Peterborough United 4-0 to earn a home match with Watford. It also proved the strength and depth of non-league talent in the north at that time.

MATLOCK TOWN: Arblaster, Goodwin, Smith, Chambers, Dawson, Lukasic, Oxley, N Fenoughty, Scott, T Fenoughty,  M Fenoughty. Sub: Skelton.
Attendance 8,181
 

CARLISLE UNITED — AWAY AGAIN!
Matlock Town already knew who their opponents would be for the club’s record 3rd Round tie - Carlisle United - away again! The delays and postponements due to the climatic conditions had taken a slight edge off the draw for many Gladiators fans, and this soccer outpost was considered one of the less glamorous ties of the round - especially considering the other teams still involved. It was potentially, on paper at least, still another winnable match.
The tie at far-flung Brunton Park on Saturday January 8, 1977, attracted a tremendous crowd of 10,361 - by far their best of the season - and included coach-loads of Matlock supporters hoping for another cup upset.
The Second Division side had been worried about the prospect of facing the ambitious Derbyshire minnows and several times leading up to the game had highlighted their own fall from the illustrious heights of the First Division the season before; and compared the Gladiators rapid success, progress and scoring record - hitting the net 64 times in just 23 games!
Their manager Bobby Moncur had played for Newcastle in their 0-3 Wembley Cup Final defeat to Liverpool and had also been part of the same Geordie team knocked-out a few years earlier by non-league Hereford. Enjoying his first taste of player-management he tried to ensure Carlisle were ‘up for it’ that day.
The big home strikers were Matlock’s biggest worry and so it proved with Carlisle playing to their obvious strengths, pumping-in one high ball after another into the Town penalty area. They finally took the lead after 25 minutes with Billy Rafferty scored after Phil Bonnyman had whipped across another high ball for the striker to volley into the roof of the net.
And just two minutes the game was virtually over as Rafferty again, heavily involved, heading against the bar for George McVitie to blast the ball past Brian Arblaster for 2-0.
Five minutes into the second period Carlisle added a third and for a time it sparked a brief Matlock revival which was completed by Colin Oxley scoring with a cleverly curled shot for 3-1. Tempers however frayed somewhat during the latter part before Bonnyman scored Carlisle’s fourth to ensure they remained in the hat. And Rafferty finally completed the scoring at 5-1.
As Matlock travelled back down Motorway they took some consolation in the fact they had fallen in good company. For on that same 3rd round day, seven First Division sides also bowed out of the competition; including Spurs at Cardiff and Sunderland to Wrexham. And so it was left to Matlock’s neighbours Northwich to keep temporarily keep the NPL flag flying after defeating Elton John’s Watford 3-2.

LIVERPOOL V CARLISLE
For Carlisle United, conquerors of mighty Matlock, they now faced a tough away tie in the 4th Round to high-flying Liverpool, where the Anfield heroes were the formidable strike-force of Kevin Keegan and John Toshack. As Matlock had struggled at Brunton Park; so Liverpool had faced a stuttering start to their campaign, held 0-0 at Anfield by Crystal Palace - before winning the replay 3-2.
A crowd of some 45,358 Merseysiders eventually greeted the Cumbrians who were unable to prevent the red tide from sweeping them out of the tournament during a comfortable 3-0 win; with Keegan, Toshack and Heighway adding their inevitable names to the scoresheet.

MANCHESTER UNITED TOOK THE HONOURS
As Brian James’ comprehensive document of that season’s cup competition rolled on, he noted that Liverpool eventually reached the grand final at Wembley after beating Oldham 3-1 in the 5th Round; Middlesbrough 2-0 in the 6th; and Everton 3-0 in the semi-final after a 2-2 draw. The Reds luck though finally ran out on the Wembley turf as Manchester United were deservedly victorious, winning 2-1 before a 100,000 crowd.