Matlock Town visit Scarborough Athletic on Saturday afternoon in the Northern Premier Division. This will be Steve Kittrick’s first appearance in Scarborough since leaving the club’s managerial post in March 2019.
Matlock finally returned to winning ways in their most recent match when they defeated Basford United in the Integro League Cup but they will be desperate to transfer this return to form into their league campaign which currently sees them in a worrying 18th position.
The Opposition
Scarborough Athletic currently sit in mid-table in 11th position in the Northern Premier Division. After a poor start to the campaign, the team have recovered mainly due to a solid record at home. Despite coming into Saturday’s match three games without a win, Scarborough have still only lost once at home in the league this season. In their most recent match, Scarborough drew 1-1 at home against Nantwich Town in the league.
Scarborough Athletic are known as the Seadogs and play at the Flamingo Land Stadium. The ground can hold up to 2,833 people and has a seated capacity of 586. The club was officially formed on June 25th, 2007 following the winding up of Scarborough. Due to Scarborough’s history playing in the football league, Scarborough Athletic have a large and very loyal following for the seventh tier of English football and can often have home crowds of over 1,000.
Their most recent trophy win came last season when they won the North Riding Senior Cup. The Seadogs have signed four players within the past 48 hours. They have signed Kieran Glynn from Salford City on loan for the rest of this season, Jacob Gratton and Harry Spratt on one month loans from Rotherham United and York City respectively and Ryan Blott from Pickering Town.
One to Watch
The man we’ve just mentioned is without a shadow of doubt my opposition player to keep an eye on for Saturday. Ryan Blott is a legendary figure with the Seadogs and a very popular player with the club’s fans. This is because Blott has not only played for the club before but is actually the club’s leading goal scorer of all time. The 31 year old forward has scored over 250 goals for Scarborough Athletic and is clearly delighted to be back at the club that he loves.
Blott also runs the club’s Under-19’s side alongside Denny Ingram and also works at the Scarborough Football Scholarship.
Team News
The Gladiators have very recently made a new addition to their squad. That man is Nathan Valentine who has joined Matlock Town on loan for the rest of this season from Stalybridge Celtic. It has been confirmed that Valentine will be available for selection for the match against the Seadogs.
Matlock have been boosted by the news that Dwayne Wiley is likely to be fit for Saturday’s game. The club received further good news when it was revealed that Bailey Gooda, who missed the last match with a knock, should be fine to play against Scarborough. Jack Rea went off injured midway through the first half against Basford United in the Integro League Cup but Steve Kittrick confirmed in his post-match interview that this was not a recurrence of his previous injury. The Welshman had actually turned over on his ankle and was taken off as a precaution but should be fine to take part in Saturday’s clash with the Seadogs. Jordan Sinnott tweaked his groin in the match against Basford but should also be okay to be available for selection.
Dan Bramall remains doubtful for this weekend’s match while he still recovers from tonsillitis. Ben Edgson, Craig King and Nathan Whitehead remain as long-term injury absentees.
Previous Meeting
Matlock Town hosted Scarborough Athletic in the Northern Premier Division this season on October 8th, 2019. The Gladiators lost the match 2-1. Luke Hinsley scored for Matlock while Paul Walker and Chris Dawson scored for the Seadogs in front of a crowd of 419. Piteu Crouz also received a dubious red card in controversial circumstances late on in the game.