GLADIATORS MEET THE DOLLY BLUES IN TRIP TO LANCASTER

Matlock Town will be looking to return to winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they travel to Lancaster City in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Despite losing to South Shields 1-0 at home last weekend, the Gladiators head into this game still at the top of the league by virtue of a better goal difference than South Shields.

The Opposition

Lancaster City currently sit in eighth position in the NPL Premier Division table and are four points behind a play-off place. In their most recent game, Lancaster lost 2-0 away from home at Radcliffe. In their most recent home game, they beat FC United of Manchester 1-0 thanks to a first half penalty that was scored by Robert Wilson. The Lancashire outfit have won two and lost three of their last five matches.

The club was founded in 1911 when their official name was known as Lancaster Town. They are affectionately known as the Dolly Blues. The unique nickname comes from the dolly blue washing tablets which were used and manufactured frequently in the early 20th century. With the team's home strip being the exact same colour as these tablets, the name 'Dolly Blues' became the proper nickname for the club.

The Dolly Blues play their home games at the superbly named Giant Axe stadium in the city of Lancaster. The stadium's name comes from what the ground and its exterior wall looks like when it's viewed from up in the air. The ground can hold up to 3,513 spectators and has a seated capacity of 513. In the past few seasons, Lancaster City have attracted average home crowds around the 250 mark.

The club's manager is Mark Fell who was appointed back in 2018. From 2013 to 2015, former Newcastle United defender Darren Peacock was the Dolly Blues manager while former England international Trevor Sinclair was his assistant.

Lancaster City's biggest rivals are Morecambe but both teams haven't met in a competitive game for some time now.

The Dolly Blues are the reigning Lancashire Challenge Trophy champions.

One to Watch

New signing Nathan Reid will be a key player to look out for on Saturday afternoon. Reid is a 26 year-old forward and used to play for Barrow.

Reid has joined the Dolly Blues following an impressive spell with Holker Old Boys. The striker is over six foot tall and his pace and aerial prowess should pose big questions of Matlock's defence.

Team News

Reece Kendall will be available for selection again after missing the South Shields game due to suspension. Adam Yates will be unavailable for Saturday's visit to Lancaster.

It's hoped that Jamie Sharman will be ready for selection following his absence due to personal reasons.

Ross Hannah is suspended for four games starting with the match at Giant Axe following his red card in the 3-1 win over Grantham Town.

Previous Meeting

These two sides last played each other in October during the ill-fated 2019/20 season in the NPL Premier Division. The Dolly Blues won the game at Giant Axe 1-0 thanks to a first half Paul Dawson goal in front of a crowd of 234.