SAM Matthews’ goal against his former team settled the derby between Amesbury Town and Laverstock & Ford on Saturday.

Visiting goalkeeper Steve Butler tipped Craig Wheeler’s shot into the side netting after 18 minutes, and Dan Newman’s header at the other end was headed off the line by Connor Palmer on the half hour.

Rob Gallagher’s follow up was charged down amid Laverstock appeals for a handball.

Four minutes later the best move of the match saw Dean Skelly put a great ball into Nathan Barnett who laid it off for Duncan Smith, and his stinging shot forced Butler into a save.

The only goal came 11 minutes after the break, Matthews taking on a ball from Wheeler, dribbling through the defence and firing home when he found space. Tom Mundy had a shot blocked in response, then Daryl Charman had a header saved and also hooked a loose ball wide.

Laverstock pushed hard for an equaliser in the last few minutes.

Substitute James Clifton was played in by Matt Cox but Joey McEntee saved well, and Alan Jordan cleared Clifton’s follow-up off the line. McEntee saved smartly from an Elliott Wykes free kick, and Gallagher swept a shot over the bar deep into injury time.

“It was a typical derby and a bit of magic from Sam won it,” said Blues boss Gareth Horner.

“After that, we could have had more. It’s the first chance we have had to pick a side this season rather than the side pick itself. We had options and that helped.”

‘Stock manager Rob Lakeman commented: “Amesbury were hard to break down but we looked more likely to do so in the first half.

“We weren’t as good in the second half and they took a chance, we didn’t.”

Amesbury travel to Devizes Town in the Wiltshire Senior Cup on Saturday, while Laverstock face another derby in the same competition, at Shrewton United, who drew 3-3 with Trowbridge Town in a topof- the-table clash. Jesse Walters scored twice and Craig Lewis got the other.