Gladiators Match Preview: Matlock Away

Match off: Waterlogged pitch. Vera Lynn once famously sang we'll meet again. That sounds like the Trinity and Matlock Media Teams lately as we try to get this clash played. We don't know when, we don't know where (preferably at the Proctor Cars Stadium, sometime before the end of April) and hopefully Tuesday night (12th March) at the fifth time of asking, but the weather really hasn't been this fixtures friend, so we'll have to keep our fingers crossed and hope the Weather God's treat us well this time!

Details

After a dramatic winner in added time, away in Whitby, spirits are high within the Holy Blues’ camp. After winning five in five Trinity’s goal will be to win this long awaited encounter. This will be the fifth rescheduling for this fixture, and with Trinity’s red hot form this is perhaps the perfect time for the Blues’ to strike whilst the iron is hot! The reverse fixture is a positive day for us to look back on, the Blues beating the Gladiators 5-3 in Russ Wilcox’ second home game and third game in charge. It’s fair to say Trinity will be looking to take advantage of those vulnerabilities and weaknesses. With only 22 points out of a possible 42 at home it is evident that Matlock’s home form could be something to exploit.

Matlock Town have suffered massively since the transfer departure of Jonathon Margetts. The fruitful attacker, aged 30 years of age, had scored over 30 goals in all competitions and was without a doubt Matlock’s focal threat. Since Margetts departed to King’s Lynn in January, Town have played seven games and lost four, winning just twice and drawing once. Matlock have also scored just three in their last six games and there has been a clear drop in goals scored which would be expected.

As we enter the business end of the season, Wilcox's men are in superb form. Full of belief and looking to extend the run of form that has seen Trinity collect 21 points from 27, the Trinity Faithful will be hopeful that momentum can continue to build. Perhaps 7th placed Lancaster can be the next team to be targeted? Six points ahead, but with two more games played, it feels good to be looking forwards.

Commentary

Unable to make it to the game? We'll have you covered. Follow all the action from Causeway Lane as the Holy Blues look to extend the winning streak to six, for the first time since Phil Tingay's Blues won their first six NPL games. Join Rob and James from twenty to eight for team news and views, by following the link to our MixLr here. Why not join in the conversation and leave a comment in the stream?

Elsewhere

There's just one other Pitching In Northern Premier League clash scheduled for Tuesday evening as 15th placed Bamber Bridge welcome 21st placed Atherton Collieries at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium, six places and 19 points separating the teams ahead of kick off.

Preview written by James Whitbread and Rob Hughes