Weekly News | 7.9.22
Interim boss Kayde Coppin was delighted but not surprised by Matlock Town’s best performance of the season by far as they beat league leaders Stafford Rangers 3-1 at the Proctor Cars Stadium on Tuesday night.
Coppin, along with goalkeeping coach, have handled team affairs since the departure of Paul Phillips last Thursday.
The Stafford win a little over seventy two hours since they again went out at the First hurdle in the FA Cup thanks atom a 2-0 home defeat by Ilkeston Town on Saturday.
Against Rangers, Matlock kept the ball on the floor and I a game when both sides showed an appetite for attack, had the crowd purring with some of the football and the quality of the goals they scored. Alex Wiles grabbed a brace while Kallan Murphy, who along with Leigh Whelan, received international clearance to feature for the Gladiators late last week, scored a worldie, a delicious bicycle kick which screamed past goalkeeper Cameron Belford to emphatically hit the roof of the net.
“I’m not surprised, the lads can do that” said Coppin.
“I know this core group of players, they’ve been underachieving and they’ve got this type of performance in their lockers.We set up a bit different, we went man for man and we were braver and the lads executed what we asked of them brilliantly. They got their rewards, once the first goal went in the crowd were up and against a good football team like Stafford, I don’t thing thewre’d have been many gripes had we won 5 or 6-1. So I’m not surprised by this , we had not only a Plan A, but a Plan B and C as well.”
Both Murphy and Whelan got their first competitive starts and Coppin was full of praise for the Irish pair.
“They were unbelievable, neither have played much football at this level, we’ve asked Kallen to be brave and we wanted to get Leigh ion the ball. I’ve taken him under my wing in the last few weeks and he’s got the ability to be a very good footballer, not only in this league but in the leagues above. I’m not surprised by Kallen’s goal, he does this kind of thing in training.”
Unfortunately Murphy and Whelan collected knocks on Tuesday and will need fitness tests ahead of the Guiseley clash. Callum Chippendale, who missed out against Stafford after having to retire injured against Ilkeston, will also be assessed.
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Skipper Ryan Qualter hailed Matlock Town’s 3-1 home win against Stafford Rangers as “one of the best performances since I came to the club.”
Qualter, like all connected with the Gladiators, was tremendously disappointed by Saturday’s FA Cup exit to Ilkeston, but was delighted with the response of everybody to beat top of the table Rangers.
“We were unbelievable, Saturday was a big disappointment but to put things into some kind of perspective, it was our first defeat in four but nevertheless we needed a response against Stafford. We got it and outplayed them for eighty odd minutes so it’s credit also to Kayde (Coppin) and Shutts (Steve Shuttleworth) who’ve done really well. The two young lads (Kallan Murphy and Leigh Whelan) were outstanding and it was great to hear the fans enjoying it and to put that kind of show on for them.”
Reflecting on chalk and cheese results and performances in the last two matches, Qualter remained philosophical.
“Football changes quickly, the league’s our bread and butter and so far I think we’ve been hampered a bit by the play off disappointment at the end of last season. Now we want to put a run together, we’re four unbeaten in the league and although it’ll be tough up at Guiseley on Saturday, there’s no reason why we can’t go there and get something.”
On the management situation at the club, Qualter was non-commital.
“It is what it is, our Chairman’s got a lot on his plate at present, the lads enjoy playing here and the Chairman and people behind the scenes deserve results like this .It’s not for me to say what happens but if Kayde and Shutts could be involved in some sort of capacity, there’d at least be some sort of continuity.”
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It’s a busy time for Matlock Town Chairman Jay Beaumont just four months into his reign at the helm of the club with his current project being a big one in finding a replacement for manager Paul Phillips.
Phillips departed the Proctor Cars Stadium by mutual consent last Thursday.
“We’re working hard to secure the incoming manager” Mr Beaumont confirmed after the 3-1 win against Stafford on Tuesday evening.
“We’ve received a lot of applications from varied backgrounds and we’re starting the process of meeting people over the coming days.”
It’s not clear yet when an announcement will be made.
“We won’t rush, it’s a matter of finding the right person but not the quickest person but once the right person is there we’ll make an appointment.”
Assistant manager Kayde Coppin and goalkeeping coach Steve Shuttleworth have stood in for the last two games.
“I’ve got to say a massive thank you to both Kayde and Shutts for their efforts, we all really appreciate them stepping up to the plate in our hour of need and they’re doing a great job.”