Matlock Town will be looking to return to winning ways as they host local rivals Belper Town in the Northern Premier League Premier Division on Boxing Day afternoon.
This will be Matlock’s first game under the tenure of new manager Martin Carruthers following the shock departure of Craig Elliott to fellow Derbyshire rivals Buxton.
The Gladiators currently sit in ninth position in the NPL Premier Division and are just three points behind the play-off places. Matlock haven’t won in their last four competitive matches.
The Opposition
Belper Town are currently bottom of the NPL Premier Division and are firmly involved in a relegation dogfight this season. They’ve only won three league games so far in the 2022/23 season. Belper have only won one of their last ten league games but did pick up a victory in their most recent competitive game when they defeated Ashbourne 3-0 away from home in the third round of the Derbyshire Senior Cup.
Belper Town were formed all the way back in 1883 and are affectionately known as The Nailers due to the town's famous nail-making industry. The Nailers play their home games at The Raygar Stadium within the town. The stadium can hold up to 2,650 spectators and holds a seated capacity of up to 500. Past managers for the Nailers include the likes of Ernie Moss and Tommy Taylor.
The current Nailers manager is former Matlock Town manager Steve Kittrick. Kittrick was in charge of the Gladiators for the first half of the 2019/20 season before being sacked in January with Matlock involved in a relegation battle.
Belper Town won the NPL Division One Midlands play-offs last season to win promotion to the NPL Premier Division. The Nailers have also won the Derbyshire Senior Cup five times in their history.
One to Watch
Striker Shaun Tuton will be a key player to look out for on Boxing Day afternoon.
Tuton played for Matlock Town briefly earlier on this season and scored one goal for the Gladiators during that spell.
The 31 year-old forward has previously played for the likes of Barnsley, FC Halifax Town and Boston United.
Tuton scored for Belper Town in their most recent NPL Premier Division victory on November 26 when they beat Morpeth Town 2-0 away from home.
Team News
Club legend Adam Yates will be available for selection following his recent transfer from Guiseley. Teenager Alexander Duhameau will also be available for selection following his recent loan move from Chesterfield.
Since Matlock’s most recent game, Alex Wiles has moved to National League North outfit Scarborough Athletic while Kallan Murphy has joined fellow NPL Premier Division outfit Guiseley.
Previous Meeting
These two sides last played each other in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup last season in September 2021.
It was a match to forget for Matlock Town as a dreadful performance from the Gladiators saw them lose 3-0 at The Proctor Cars Stadium.
Former Gladiators player Jonathan Margetts scored a hat-trick to send the Nailers through to the next round in front of a fantastic crowd of 1,052.
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