Matlock joint boss Phil Brown says that now is the time to start finalising his squad ahead of the upcoming UniBond League Premier Division season. In some of their pre season friendlies to date, the Gladiators have fielded in excess of twenty players, but with the new season just a fortnight away, he now wants players to spend longer in match action to build up their fitness levels. And with Matlock missing out on playing on the opening day on August 18 due to Scarborough leaving the League through financial problems, the Gladiators have arranged a further pre season game at Shepshed Dynamo on Tuesday night, to avoid being faced with a ten day break between their friendly at Quorn on Saturday and their first league fixture at home to
Lincoln United on Tuesday August 21.

"We're now getting to the stage where we won't be fielding twenty or so players as things now need to be sorted with people getting sixty or seventy minutes instead of just twenty minutes or half an hour" said Brown.
"Its now more serious stuff and with playing Quorn and Shepshed we've got two games against UniBond outfits in four days which will be a good test for us."

Defender Ryan Davis will miss the Quorn game due to holidays but will be available for a recall at Shepshed but midfielder Neil Ashley is now away for a fortnight which means he will be absent for the Lincoln game as well. Brown and fellow boss Gareth Williams have been busy trying to add to the Gladiators defensive options with several potential new signings being given run outs in the pre season programme.

Former Hucknall defender Liam Powell played at right back in Saturday's comfortable 2-0 win at Long Eaton while in Monday night's narrow 2-1 home defeat by Mansfield Town, Ryan Laight (formerly of Barnsley and on loan at Alfreton and Tamworth last season), Laurence Hall (once of Stoke City) and Chesterfield based left back Phil Austin, were all given places in the starting line up. Former Mossley and Ashton United centre back Danny White, who was at Buxton last season, turned out in last week's defeat by Chesterfield.
"We've been working hard to try and bring defenders in and its safe to say we'd like to sign a couple of these lads on" said Brown. "Lads that come say they're very impressed with the welcome they're given by the other lads and the spirit in the dressing room. They know they'd be coming to a happy club with good players. They've done well in the games they've played and negotiations are ongoing with a couple of them and we hope to have some further news soon."

The last two games have also seen the pairing of last season's top scorer Ian Holmes and the returning Dene Cropper in attack with Paul Riley being pushed into a more attacking role wide on the left. Fans have long been waiting for the chance to see Cropper and Holmes in tandem.
"We've been rotating things in the games so far and we were restricted a little on Monday as Simon Barraclough was ill and Steve Taylor had a slight knee injury" said Brown.
"But we looked to be well balanced with Dene and Holmesy up there and Paul Riley adapted quickly to a more forward role. We played very well and created most of the chances, dominating for the most part. It was a competitive game which we wanted, played at a quicker tempo which was good for us as it was more like a UniBond game. They (Mansfield) were up for it and it was a good and useful test for us."

Meanwhile youngsters Spencer Goff and Jonathan Loukes will be playing for Northern Counties East League First Division outfit Staveley in a dual registration arrangement, which means both can be signed on by Matlock on UniBond forms and by Staveley in their league. Goff was a regular in Matloick's under 19 team last season, was present as a non playing squad member at the majority of the Gladiators first team games. Indeed, he managed just ten minutes of competitive action spread over three substitute appearances. Loukes was formerly at Barnsley before turning up at Ilkeston Town last season.
"It'll do them both good to get some regular first team football and more experience under their belts" said Brown. "They'll be playing at a good level and it should improve their game immensely."

The Matlock Town Supporters Club hold their Annual General Meeting in the refurbished Gladiators Social Club on Thursday night (August 16) starting at 7-30 pm, after which there will be a Fans Forum. This will be the third such forum after two successful question and answer sessions in recent years. Fans will have the chance to quiz Brown and Williams on playing matters as well as put questions to club officials on behind the scenes activities at the club and watch the squad training on the Geoquip Stadium pitch. The forum is likely to get under way at approximately 8 pm.