MATLOCK Town embark on their latest FA Cup adventure this weekend when they visit Nottingham side Carlton Town on Saturday. Carlton, newcomers to the UniBond League First Division South this season, warmed up for the cup tie with a 3-1 home win over Gresley Rovers on Tuesday night.

But Gladiators joint boss Phil Brown will be hoping for another Matlock cup run and for some key figures to return in time for the tie.
“We've made a good start in the league and we've been mentioning how important cup runs are to a club of our standing,” said Brown.
“We'll now have to regroup after Witton and hopefully we'll have one or two more bodies back.”

Paul Riley, who has been out for the last three games with medial ligament damage, is expected to return at Stoke Lane.
And Brown revealed another injury victim is hopeful of a return.
“Dene Cropper has his fingers crossed to be able to train on Thursday and we're still working on bringing in one or two more new faces.”

Laurence Hall, whose suspension ended at Witton, will not be able available, however, as he does not arrive back from the West Indies until Monday. Should a replay be needed, it will be at the Geoquip Stadium on Tuesday night.

Brown was less than happy with the late penalties that condemned Matlock to defeat at Witton. Liverpool referee Andy Scregg came under fire from Town, particularly for the first penalty decision and an earlier decision to stop play for a
Matlock free kick with Simon Barrclough clear and fellow striker Steve Taylor up in support.

“Those decisions have cost us the game,” fumed Brown.
“It was a good match between two really good sides. For the first penalty he gave the decision from the half way line and if the ones he gave are penalties then we've got two good claims as well.

“He couldn't wait to give them theirs, but the worst decision of the match was Simon being clean through.
“Their defenders were nowhere and all we needed was for Simon to cross it for Steve to slot in and we're one goal up.
“But we're culpable as well. We worked really hard as a unit, defending really well and they've not really opened us up from free play, but then through a lack of concentration we've gifted them two goals.

“On the flip side we got in behind them, making some scoring opportunities, so everything considered we're pleased with the performance.”

Brown sympathised with goalkeeper Andy Richmond who was ordered off after the first penalty incident.
“I'm really disappointed for big Andy. He's kept goal well and the player had knocked the ball away from goal, so from that point of view, it was never a clear goalscoring opportunity.

“Not only do we suffer with the penalty but we lose our goalkeeper as well. “It’s been one of those nights where a lot's happened and it’s hard to bear. The referee's apologised to me for his error when Simon was through and maybe that has cost us a decent result.”

MATLOCK Town under 19s are still searching for their first win of the Windsor Food Services North Midlands Under 19s League season. They took a 2-0 lead through Joe Kaye and Basil Nyoni at Arnold Town last week, but conceded three, including a 94th minute winner, in the second half. George Walker also put them a goal up at home to Handsworth on Tuesday, only for the visitors to score twice and take the points. They meet in form Alfreton Town on Tuesday at the Geoquip Stadium. It could be a tall order as Alfreton put 11 unanswered goals past Hallam on Monday.