MATCH PREVIEW | Hyde United Vs Matlock Town - Pitching In NPL - 11.1.22
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Matlock Town will be looking to strengthen their grip at the top of the Northern Premier League Premier Division on Tuesday evening as they face Hyde United away from home.
This will be the Derbyshire outfit's first game of 2022 following the postponements of both the Gainsborough Trinity away trip on New Year's Day and the home match against Ashton United that was scheduled for last weekend.
The Gladiators will be desperate to carry on where they left off following their A6 derby victory on December 27 over fierce rivals and fellow title contenders Buxton. That victory saw Paul Phillips's men leapfrog the Bucks to take over pole position in the NPL Premier Division. Despite not kicking a ball yet in this calendar year, Matlock have held onto top spot since they secured the local bragging rights.
The Opposition
Hyde United currently sit in 16th position in the Northern Premier League Premier Division. In their most recent game, Hyde beat Warrington Town 5-2 away from home in the second round of the Cheshire Senior Cup. In their most recent home match, Hyde suffered a very disappointing 4-1 defeat against Mickleover in the league. In their last six competitive games, Hyde have won three games (including a very impressive away victory at South Shields), drawn two and lost one.
The club are affectionately known as The Tigers and they play their home games at the Ewen Fields Stadium in the Hyde area of Greater Manchester. The stadium can hold up to 4,250 spectators and has a seated capacity of 530.
The Tigers have played as high as the top tier of non-league football in the past. Hyde won the old Conference North title in the 2011-12 season to win promotion to the Conference Premier. Hyde have also won the Northern Premier League Premier Division before back in 2005. The Tigers have also reached the FA Trophy semi-finals on three separate occasions.
Hyde's manager is the Stockport County legend and former Motherwell and Peterborough United manager Jim Gannon. Gannon took over as the Tigers boss right at the end of August this season following the early season departure of David McGurk after a poor opening month to the 2021/22 campaign. Gannon made 480 appearances for Stockport County in his playing career and has had three separate spells as the club's manager. In his first stint, Gannon won the League Two play-offs and in his most recent spell at the club he went on to win the National League North title.
The club's president is none other than England's world cup winning hero Sir Geoff Hurst!
One to Watch
Defender Brad Roscoe will be a key player to look out for on Tuesday evening.
Roscoe has scored 4 goals so far this season in 28 competitive games. Three of those goals have come in Hyde's last six games in all competitions.
The 24 year-old has played for the likes of Fleetwood Town, Buxton and Glossop North End.
Team News
Goalkeepers Shaun Rowley and Paul Cooper are both still unavailable due to injuries.
New signing Liam Bell will be available for selection and could make his Gladiators debut.
Since Matlock's last game, Jerome Greaves's loan spell with the Gladiators has come to an end. He's now joined Farsley Celtic on loan from Rotherham United.
Previous Meeting
These two sides last played each other on August 21 this season in the NPL Premier Division at The Proctor Cars Stadium.
The Gladiators beat the Tigers 2-1 in front of a crowd of 446. Second half goals from Reece Kendall and Lirak Hasani secured all three points for the Gladiators while Liam Hardy scored a very late consolation goal for Hyde.