The Gladiators take on Basford United this Saturday afternoon at the Proctor Cars Stadium in the Northern Premier Division.
Steve Kittrick’s men need to urgently improve on their recent performances as their slide down the league table continues.
The Opposition
Basford United currently sit in fourth position in the Northern Premier Division but their league form has wobbled recently with only one victory in their last six league games. In their most recent match on New Year’s Day, Basford drew at home 0-0 with out of form Grantham Town while in their most recent away trip they drew 1-1 at Warrington Town. Basford were expected to finish around the play-offs at the start of this season so they will be anxious to put their bad form behind them against Matlock and consolidate their play-off position.
Basford’s manager is former Nottingham Forest, Barnsley and England U21 defender Steve Chettle. Chettle made 415 league appearances for Forest and is a cult hero at the club. He ended his playing career in Derbyshire for Ilkeston Town and joined the club again in 2017 for his first ever senior managerial role.
Basford is a suburb of Nottingham and the club plays its home games at Greenwich Avenue. The stadium holds a capacity of 1,600. The club was formed back in 1900 and finished last season just outside the play-offs in seventh position. Their most recent trophy victory was last year when the club won the Nottinghamshire Senior Cup.
One to Watch
25 year old central defender Stefan Galinski will be a key player to watch out for on Saturday. Galinski has been an ever-present at the heart of Basford’s defence this season and made headlines online earlier this season when he somehow managed to score with a header from inside his own half in a match against FC United of Manchester. The goal is well worth checking out online if you haven’t already seen it!
Galinski was previously Grantham Town’s captain and has also had spells at Hednesford Town, Stalybridge Celtic and Alfreton Town. He also has international experience with Poland’s U18 side.
Team News
Steve Kittrick has a lot on his plate regarding absences. Dwayne Wiley will definitely miss Saturday’s game due to the hamstring injury he picked up on Boxing Day against Buxton and will be a huge miss to the team.
Jack Rea’s absence has been longer than expected and is still unlikely to return for the next game against Basford. Tomas Poole is also a doubt after going off injured in the last game against Gainsborough Trinity with a calf problem.
Nathan Whitehead and Craig King remain as long-term absentees and will still not be able to return to action for some time.
Previous Meeting
Matlock Town have already played Basford United twice this season and have won on both occasions. In their most recent encounter on September 7th, the Gladiators beat Basford United at home 2-1 in the FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round thanks to goals from Spencer Harris and Jordan Sinnott. Liam Hearn scored with a penalty for Basford.
The Gladiators also played Basford at Greenwich Avenue in only the second league match of the season back on August 19th. Matlock won a tight encounter 1-0 thanks to an absolute wonder goal from Piteu Crouz which will take some beating for Matlock Town’s goal of the season.