Matlock Town travel to Greater Manchester this Saturday afternoon to face out of form Ashton United.
The Gladiators will be aiming to see if they maintain their perfect start to the 2019/20 season and extend their stay at the top of the Northern Premier Division.
The Opposition
Ashton United come into this game without a win so far this season and are already 11 points worse off than Matlock Town. The Robins drew 2-2 at home against Atherton Collieries on the opening day but have gone on to lose three matches in a row against South Shields, Bamber Bridge and Stalybridge Celtic respectively. Ashton’s poor start has found them occupying last place at this early stage in this season’s Northern Premier Division campaign.
The Robins were relegated from the National League North last season after losing 25 of their 42 league games and conceding a whopping 86 goals.
Ashton’s home, Hurst Cross, is one of the oldest football stadiums in the world and has hosted Ashton United matches since 1880. Hurst Cross can also lay claim to hosting the first FA approved floodlit football competition when in the 1954-55 season it staged the Lancashire and Cheshire Floodlit Cup.
One to Watch
Sam Sheridan in midfield may well be one to watch for visiting Gladiator fans. Sheridan scored on the opening day of this season in Ashton’s 2-2 draw against Atherton Collieries and has been at the club since January 2018.
Sheridan has played for a number of non-league clubs in his career including spells at fellow Derbyshire clubs Buxton and New Mills. He’s also the nephew of current Chesterfield manager John Sheridan and former Football League player Darren Sheridan.
Team News
Luke Dean should be available for selection after missing the home game against Gainsborough Trinity through injury. Recent signings Josh Lacey and Jordan Sinnott will be hoping to make their first starts for the Gladiators.
Despite Steve Kittrick’s hint that further additions are still on the horizon, no new faces have arrived at the club since Matlock’s victory over Gainsborough on Bank Holiday Monday.
Previous Meetings
Matlock’s last encounter with Ashton United was back on April 24th, 2018 at the Proctor Cars Stadium where the Gladiators were defeated 2-1 in the Northern Premier Division.
Matlock have played the Robins 26 times in their history and it’s Ashton who have had the most success in this fixture over the years. Ashton United have won twelve times, Matlock have won five and there have been nine draws overall. The Gladiators have only ever beaten the Robins once in their history at Hurst Cross.
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