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Writer's pictureMatthew Rhodes

GLADIATORS TRAVEL TO BASFORD IN CRUCIAL LEAGUE ENCOUNTER


Matlock Town face Basford United away from home on Saturday afternoon in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.


With the end of the season now only two weeks away, every point gained at this stage is absolutely vital as the Gladiators aim to secure their first play-offs and top five position for 15 years.


The million dollar question is: can Matlock Town find their shooting boots? The Gladiators have only scored two goals in their last six games and their lack of clinical finishing in the final third is the reason why they haven't won a game since the fifth of March.



The Opposition


The stakes are also very high for Basford United today. Basford currently sit third from bottom in 20th place in the NPL Premier Division and are not completely safe from relegation with just four games remaining of the league season. The Nottinghamshire outfit are eight points clear of Witton Albion who occupy the final relegation spot in the league. While relegation is unlikely from this position, Basford do need to be careful as they are currently in a rotten run of form and also have goal scoring problems of their own.


Basford have only won one of their last ten games and have gone three games in a row without scoring. In their most recent game, Basford lost 1-0 at home to play-off contenders Warrington Town.


Basford United were founded in 1900 and are nicknamed The Lions. They play their home games at Greenwich Avenue in the Basford suburb of Nottingham. The stadium can hold up to 1,600 spectators.


Basford's manager is former Mansfield Town and Boston United player Mark Clifford. The club's Director of Football is Nottingham Forest legend Steve Chettle. Clifford took over the managerial role from Chettle earlier this season as he moved into an upstairs role; however, with the Lions desperate to preserve their NPL Premier Division status, Chettle has recently been brought back in to support the management team directly.


The most recent trophy Basford lifted was back in the 2018-19 campaign when the Lions won the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup.







One to Watch


Veteran defender Dominic Roma will be a key player to look out for in Saturday's game at Greenwich Avenue.


The 36 year-old currently captains the Lions and joined Basford United in the summer of 2017. Roma also currently holds a coaching role at the club.


Roma started his playing career at Sheffield United. He went on to make over 200 league appearances for Gainsborough Trinity.



Team News


Alex Wiles, Osebi Abadaki and Liam King could all be available for selection once again following their injury lay-offs.


Reece Webb-Foster will still be on the sidelines due to his injury.



Previous Meeting


These two sides last met in August this season in the NPL Premier Division at The Proctor Cars Stadium.


This match marked Matlock Town's first victory of the 2021/22 campaign as the Gladiators secured a 2-1 victory. Ross Hannah scored both of Matlock's goals before being controversially sent off. Rev James scored a late consolation goal for the Lions.


The game was watched by a crowd of 518.

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