Matlock Town host local rivals Buxton in the third round of the Derbyshire Senior Cup on Tuesday evening. This will be their first competitive meeting since the Bucks won the NPL Premier Division league title last season.
The Gladiators haven’t won their last three competitive games and will be urgently seeking a victory tonight to restore some confidence and momentum.
The Opposition
Local rivals Buxton play one tier above Matlock Town in the National League North. Despite an outstanding run to the second round in the FA Cup this season, the Bucks have had a tough campaign so far in the league and currently sit three points ahead of the relegation zone in 20th position.
In their most recent game, Buxton were defeated 3-2 at home by Bradford (Park Avenue) in the league in jaw-dropping circumstances. The Bucks conceded two stoppage-time goals to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The drama didn’t end there as Jamie Vermiglio confirmed his resignation as Buxton’s manager shortly after the match. At the time of writing, Buxton have not installed a replacement yet.
In their most recent away trip, Buxton were comfortably beaten 4-0 by League One outfit Ipswich Town in the second round of the FA Cup.
Buxton were founded all the way back in 1877 and are affectionately known as the Bucks. They play their home games at The Tarmac Silverlands Stadium in the town of Buxton in Derbyshire. The ground can hold up to 4,000 spectators and has a seated capacity of 490. The Tarmac Silverlands Stadium is the highest football ground in England.
One to Watch
22 year-old midfielder Serhat Tasdemir will be a key player to look out for on Tuesday evening.
Tasdemir started his playing career at AFC Fylde and scored 14 goals in 63 appearances for the Lancashire outfit. He went on to join Peterborough United where he made 20 competitive appearances.
Serhat was born in Blackburn but has represented Azerbaijan at U19 level.
Tasdemir scored a goal last weekend in Buxton’s league defeat to Bradford (Park Avenue).
Team News
Goalkeeper Jim Pollard should be available for selection again after recovering from Covid.
New signing Saul Milovanovic could make his Gladiators debut.
Previous Meeting
These two sides last played each other in a pre-season friendly at The Tarmac Silverlands Stadium in the summer ahead of this season.
Buxton won the game 1-0 thanks to an early Jack McKay strike in front of a crowd of 501.
The last competitive meeting between these two outfits was the penultimate match of last season’s NPL Premier Division. The Bucks won 1-0 in a tense encounter to all but clinch the league title and secure automatic promotion to the National League North.
Dan Cowan scored the only goal of the game in front of a huge attendance of 2,456.
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