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Nicky Law says he’s keen to get a settled squad as soon as possible with the new NPL Premier Division season just over three weeks away.
Law made several signings early in the summer but has been unable to see all of his new players in action due to holidays and injuries.
He is also aiming to bring in four or five more new faces before pre-season is out, and hopes to be able to confirm some additions in the coming days.
He said: “It’s one of those things at this level of football when it comes to pre-season, where you’ve got lads on holiday or with social arrangements and that kind of thing.
"It’s not ideal of course and doesn’t help in the preparation but it’s something you have to deal with.
"But hopefully we’ll have the full compliment soon in terms of players we’ve signed on already, while on the new recruits front I’m hopeful we’re close on a couple of players I want in certain positions.
"We knew the last three or four would be the hardest ones to get. We’ve had a few trialists and some have done very well and we may look to bring them in permanently, but you sometimes have to move quickly as they begin to get interest from other clubs as well.”
Matlock played a behind-closed-doors friendly against a young Barnsley side on Saturday morning, the game ending 1-1 with one of the Gladiators trialists scoring their goal.
They then went to Law’s old club Buxton on Tuesday night and were beaten 1-0.
Law said: “It was a productive game for both sides on Saturday and good to get another 90 minutes in.
"They were very good opposition again but not in the mould of Derby and Chesterfield, so we had more scope to be a bit more expansive and adventurous.
"One downside is that we picked a couple of injuries up which isn’t ideal given we’ve got a small squad anyway.
"We put in a good performance against Buxton and only lost to a calamitous goal in the second-half. We came here with a few injuries including to Shaun Brisley and Connor O’Grady, so we were down to the bare bones, but we applied ourselves well and rarely looked like conceding, but also didn’t look enough of a threat at the other end. We were patient and defended well.”
The Gladiators will not travel to face Sheffield FC on Saturday with the pre-season fixture now postponed due to pitch issues for the home side. Nicky Law's lads will next be in action at home against Cleethorpes Town on Tuesday 30th.
Meanwhile, Matlock now know their opening fixtures of the new season, with a trip to Prescot Cables being their first game on Saturday, August 10, followed by home games against Whitby Town (Tuesday, August 13) and Hyde United (Saturday, August 17).
Mark Duffy