Matlock Town make the short trip to the Don Amott Arena on Saturday afternoon to play Derbyshire rivals Mickleover Sports in the Northern Premier League.
The Gladiators finally got back to winning ways last Wednesday evening following a 2-1 victory at Carlton Town in the FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round and will now be looking to rediscover their league form this coming Saturday and guide themselves back into the play-off places.
The Opposition
Mickleover Sports currently lie in seventh position in the Northern Premier League which is just one place behind Matlock Town. Mickleover are behind Matlock only on goal difference but they do have a game in hand on the Gladiators. Matlock’s Derbyshire rivals have suffered a recent wobble in form as they are currently four games without a win with the last three of those being successive defeats which has resulted in nine goals being conceded.
Mickleover’s most recent match was a 3-0 defeat away to Basford United in the FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round whereas their last game at home ended in a 3-1 defeat to in-form Lancaster City in the league.
The Don Amott Arena is named after the club’s chairman and holds a capacity of 1,500 with a seated capacity of 280. Mickleover narrowly avoided relegation last season after finishing in 19th position in the Northern Premier League. Mickleover’s last trophy was the old NPL Division One South league title back in 2015.
One to Watch
Former Gladiator Mason Warren will be a key player to look out for in Saturday’s match. Warren can play as either a left-back or left winger and briefly had a stint at Matlock Town where he made two appearances for the club during a loan spell in the 2016-17 season.
Warren joined Mickleover Sports after being released by Rotherham United at the end of last season. While at Rotherham, Warren played for several clubs on loan. As well as Matlock Town, Warren made loan appearances for Sheffield, Harrogate Town, Grantham Town, Boston United, North Ferriby United and Gainsborough Trinity.
Warren scored last month in Mickleover’s 1-1 home draw against Morpeth Town in the Northern Premier League.
Team News
Piteu Crouz is available for selection once again after serving his three match suspension. Sam Scrivens’s loan spell at Matlock has come to end and he has now returned to Guiseley.
There does not appear to be any other injury news to add to the long-term lay-offs for both Nathan Whitehead and Craig King.
Previous Meeting
We don’t have to go back very far at all for the last time these two sides met. On October 12th, Matlock beat Mickleover 3-1 in the league at the Proctor Cars Stadium.
The clash fell on Non-League Day and this match currently holds the record for Matlock’s biggest attendance this season. A crowd of 729 saw goals from Dan Bramall, Luke Hinsley and Sam Scrivens to give the Gladiators three points. Lee Hughes scored the goal for Mickleover.
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