Victorious Gladiators back on road
MATLOCK Town are on the road again today, travelling to play Warrington Town, but buoyed by a third successive Pitching In NPL Premier Division win in midweek.
The Gladiators won 1-0 away to Nantwich Town with Reece Kendall heading in an Alex Byrne cross for the second game in a row.
It was also their first clean sheet of the season and manager Paul Phillips said: “It was the perfect away performance against a quality side.
“I thought the win was totally deserved, we worked hard and they played the game largely in front of us. To put in a performance like that away from home on a Tuesday night speaks volumes for the character of the players we’ve got in the dressing room.”
The Gladiators are back at the Proctor Cars Stadium on Monday to play Gainsborough Trinity.
It was not such good news for Mickleover, who went down 3-1 away at Buxton despite Andy Dales giving them a thirdminute lead.
Second-half goals from Tom Elliot, Chris Dawson and former Derby County, Nottingham Forest and Burton Albon forward Jamie Ward sank John McGrath’s team and they are also on the road again today, to play Lancaster City, before hosting Hyde United on Monday.
In the NPL Midlands Division, Ilkeston Town had a sparkling 4-0 away win over Daventry Town to make it two from two on their travels, having lost their only home game so far.
Goals in the fifth and seventh minutes from Remayne Campbell and Zak Goodson put them in control and they added two more in a minute soon after half-time through Charlie Wakefield and Alex Troke.
Today the Robins have the chance to put their home record right against Bedworth United.
Belper Town, who did not have a midweek game, are away to Halesown Town today, then at home on Monday to Ilkeston.
Manager Grant Black thinks both games will be a real test for his side.
“This will potentially give us a chance to see whether we’re able to compete with the top teams,” he said.
“Both have really recruited well in the summer and both will be right up there.”
Having lost their Vanarama National League North opener 1-0 at home to Brackley Town last week, Alfreton Town make the long trip to Darlington today and are then back at the Impact Arena on Monday to play Chorley.