Gladiators set to host Stags in pre-season friendly

Matlock Town can now reveal another of their pre season friendlies and what a good one it is as Mansfield Town boss Nigel Clough brings his first team squad to the Proctor Cars Stadium on Tuesday 1 August (7.45 pm).

Clough has always enjoyed coming to Matlock whether it is with Mansfield or previously when he managed Burton Albion for the atmosphere the game generates and the warm welcome received from everyone at the Proctor Cars Stadium. Last season a first half goal from Hiram Boateng was sufficient to guide the Stags to a 1-0 victory but twelve months earlier it was exactly the opposite scoreline thanks to a Callum Chippendale strike early in the game. Both games attracted four figure attendances.

The Stags narrowly missed out on a League Two play-off place on the final day of the season, Salford City pipping them into sixth spot, both teams amassing 75 points but Salford having a one goal better goal difference.

Matlock Chairman Jay Beaumont is a long time admirer of Clough and says that the match should again be a good one for the fans to watch.

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Nigel and his Mansfield Town first team squad to our ground again and we thank Nigel and everyone at Mansfield for their help in setting this game up. It should again attract a good crowd and it should be a great test for both sets of players with the season starting soon afterwards. This is one of a number of top pre season games that the Matlock supporters can look forward to and we’ll be announcing the others as soon as we’re able.”

Ian Richardson