The Gladiators host Grantham Town on Tuesday evening as they look to maintain their impressive start to this season’s Northern Premier Division campaign.
Matlock Town currently sit pretty at the top of the table while Grantham have fallen to 10th place at this early stage of the season after a heavy 4-0 defeat at home to Whitby Town last weekend.
The Opposition
Grantham Town have played four league games so far this season. They have beaten FC United of Manchester and Basford United at home, drew away against Stafford Rangers and lost their first game of the season 4-0 at home to Whitby Town last Saturday.
Grantham have already played in three different competitions this season. As well as the league campaign, Grantham Town’s FA Cup journey is underway. They defeated Barton Town away from home 3-1 in the Preliminary Round and will travel to Nantwich Town this coming weekend for the First Qualifying Round.
The Gingerbreads have also defeated Gainsborough Trinity 2-1 away from home in this season’s Lincolnshire Senior Cup.
One to Watch
Veteran striker Craig Westcarr will be a familiar face to Gladiator fans. Westcarr played for Matlock Town last season and has further experience playing for Derbyshire clubs with Chesterfield and Alfreton Town.
Westcarr scored for Chesterfield at Wembley when they defeated Swindon Town 2-0 to win the Football League Trophy in 2012. At Alfreton Town, he scored 25 goals in 63 appearances. The 34 year old is Grantham’s top goalscorer this season with four goals.
Team News
Steve Kittrick said in his post-match interview on Saturday that Jack Rea should be available for selection for Tuesday night’s game. Rea missed the game against Ashton United due to emergency dental surgery but is expected to be fine for the clash with Grantham.
Luke Dean is also expected to return to the squad after his injury which has forced him out of the last couple of games.
Previous Meeting
Matlock’s last encounter with the Gingerbreads was back on February 23rd where the Gladiators were defeated 2-0 at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium.
Matlock missed a host of opportunities and paid the price for it as Chris Dawson and Jordan Adebayo-Smith went on to score in the second half for Grantham.
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