Matlock Town look set to play their first Sunday game in two decades when FC United of Manchester come to Causeway Lane next month.
The Derbyshire Constabulary have ruled that the Gladiators cannot stage their league clash against the UniBond Premier Division newcomers,who regularly take a following approaching or over 1000 fans to away games, on the scheduled Saturday date of 7 March. Now it seems almost certain that the match will be played twenty four hours later on Sunday March 8 with a 3 pm kick off.
Explaining the fixture change, Matlock Chief Executive said that the move came about due to Derby County entertaining Bristol City at Pride Park Stadium on the Saturday.
"Due to heavy policing requirements for the Derby County versus Bristol City game on Saturday March 7, the authorities have instructed that the Matlock Town v FC United of Manchester game due to be played on the same day is moved. We have discussed the situation with both FC United and UniBond League officials and they have both given their support to the fixture being moved to the following day, Sunday March 8 with a 3 pm kick off. The information has been passed to the relevant Police authorities and we expect to receive their full approval during discussions on Thursday. We are very grateful for the very prompt and positive response we've had from the management of FC United and we're confident that the 24 hour delay will not detract from what promises to be a very attractive fixture, possibly similar to the exciting opening game of the season which ended 3-3 in Manchester."
A brace from Ross Hannah and a Dene Cropper header made up Matlock's tally at Gigg Lane and both strikers are now on their way to recovery following recent injury problems as the Gladiators, weather permitting, head to Whitby in the UniBond League Challenge Cup quarter finals on Saturday. Then on Tuesday evening comes a tough test in the league at table topping Eastwood Town.
Hannah was stretchered off in the League Cup Third Round victory at Buxton on January 14 with an ankle injury and has not played since while Cropper came off after just over half an hour as Town ensured their Whitby trip with a 3-1 win against Worksop Town last week.
The former Belper striker looks the most doubtful of the Gladiators injury doubts, but Cropper, along with Jamie Jackson and Lee Featherstone, who sat out the Worksop game with hamstring and knee injuries respectively, plus Danny Wood who limped off in the second half last week, should be fit, although these pronoses need to be confirmed at tonight's (Thursday's) training session.
Manager Mark Atkins is hoping for success in both games this week as Matlock strive to extend their unbeaten run in league and cup which currently stands at eight matches and was good enough for them to be named as the UniBond Premier Division Club of the Month winners for January.
"Both are vital games. One is a League Cup quarter final which we want to win and we want to go on and win the competition if we can. And Eastwood is a big game for us. They're top of the league and we'll need to play as well as we've done recently, but rest assured we'll not take either game lightly. We'll have had ten or so days off before facing Whitby and we'll go into the games hopefully with a very strong squad with the injuries starting to clear up."
The Whitby tie is a continuation of the League Cup saga between the two clubs which began with Matlock coming out on top in the two legged final of 2005. After a 2-2 draw at Causeway Lane, Matlock triumphed 3-1 after extra time in the 2nd leg at the Turnbull Ground.
The two clubs met again in the last eight in Derbyshire two years ago and after looking dead and buried at 2-0 down with twenty minutes left, a dramatic recovery saw Matlock force extra time before edging through in a nail biting finale after a ding dong battle by a 5-4 margin.
Atkins was pleased with both the performance and the result against Worksop, particularly as changes were enforced on him both prior to and during the game.
And there was praise for his goalscorers with Nathan Benger grabbing a brace for the second game in succession and Rob Lund hit the third to cap a very satisfying debut.
"We'd got some knocks after the Leigh game so we left out Jamie Jackson and Lee Featherstone. Then Dene Cropper pulled up with his ankle injury and Danny Wood strained a hamstring in the second half but in many ways it showed the squad is looking stronger and more versatile. Gary Webster came on and did a good job for us and Rob Lund was excellent. When I came Paul Riley told me he was more of a left winger but he played at left back against Worksop and was outstanding. That gave us the chance to look at Rob Lund. I knew what he could do and he gives us that bit of extra pace down the left and can also operate as a central striker. He took his goal very well. But I have to commend Nathan Benger who has been absolutely fantastic and is improving with every game."
With a glut of strikers to choose from when Hannah regains full fitness, Atkins is happy with the dilemma he faces.
"I'd rather have that dilemma than not being able to put a team out. With competition being strong, people have to perform to keep their place. If they do that, they will and that's what we want. We're chuffed to pick up the Club Of the Month Award (which will be presented before the home meeting with Ilkeston on Valentines Day). It's good for everyone involved with the club and particularly the players who've worked extremely hard and deserve everything they've got in the last few weeks."
Fans are asked to consult the club's website and the local media should the Whitby tie not go ahead on Saturday. The UniBond League could not confirm in midweek if their usual policy of quickly rearranging the tie to the following midweek would apply. If this turns out to be the case, the game will be played on Wednesday, meaning the postponement of the Eastwood game.
Big spending Eastwood hit the summit for the first time a couple of weeks ago and are now unbeaten in fifteen league matches since a 2-1 loss at Guiseley in September. They have won their last five and are four points clear of Hednesford with their leading marksman being a certain Ian Holmes with 22 goals, a firm former Matlock favourite from two seasons ago. Matlock will need to show the same form which saw them come within a whisker of beating the Badgers at Causeway Lane in September. Town dominated most of the game as Ross Hannah put them in front before the Gladiators twice struck the woodwork. But Marc Smith grabbed a last gasp equaliser as the match finished 1-1.
Midfielder Simon Harrison completed his move to neighbours Ilkeston and was an unused substitite in the Robins 2-1 home win against Ashton United last Saturday.
Atkins also confirmed that central defender Rob Pacey is still very much part of the Matlock squad after being absent in recent weeks.
"He needed time to concentrate on his college work and his job outside of football but he's very much a Matlock Town player and I'll have no hesitation in welcoming him back."
The midweek private friendly at Koolsport Northern Counties East League First Division Rossington was called off due to snow and ice.
Meanwhile Matlock have been handed a home draw in the semi finals of the Derbyshire Senior Cup. Koolsport Northern Counties East League Premier Division strugglers Shirebrook Town will visit Causeway Lane on Tuesday February 17 and while it gives the Gladiators an excellent opportunity of reaching the final, they will reflect that Shirebrook produced a major shock in the preceeding round by thrashing holders Belper Town 4-1 at Christ Church Meadow. The other semi final sees Buxton host the winners of the weather affected Mickleover Sports versus Ilkeston Town quarter final clash.
