Kevin Lynch is looking for a reaction from his players after the team’s disappointing performance on Tuesday night. “I was shocked just how poor we were in the first half. You can’t give teams like Northwich a two goal lead. The lads switched off and there could be a couple of changes for the next game. I’ve told the players you’re only as good as your next game and we have got some top teams to play over the next couple of weeks.”
After a slow start with just one point from their opening two games the Gladiators have rallied with a couple of wins over Kendal Town and Frickley Athletic. Despite selling the league’s leading scorer from last season, Ross Hannah, Matlock have more than compensated for the loss with the return of prolific scorer Ian Holmes and the delightfully named Tyeisse Nightingale.
There has been little to choose between both clubs in recent years and both expect to be challenging for honours as the season progresses.
Matlock Town – Did you know that…?
In 1975 the club won the FA Trophy under the management of former England international Peter Swan. The team included three Fenoughty brothers - Mick, Nick and Tom.
During the 1978/9 season Matlock played in the Anglo-Italian Cup.
Last season in an FA Trophy tie at home to Bedworth, Matlock scored 10 goals equalling their biggest ever score and Ross Hannah scored seven of them.
Matlock’s ground, the Causeway, is one of a few football grounds with an adjacent cricket pitch
One of their former players, Eddie Shimwell, an England international, was the first full-back to score at Wembley.