Matlock's Ravenhill: Good sides will punish us more
Matlock Town will be aiming to cement their second place spot this weekend but will again face a difficult challenge as they travel to Heaton Stannington in the NPL Division One East.
Last weekend saw the Gladiators beaten 2-1 at home by fellow play-off challengers Dunston UTS – many of Matlock’s defeats this season having come against sides in the upper echelons of the division.
On Tuesday night (17th), after this week’s Mercury went to press, Matlock were due to host Bishop Auckland in a rearranged fixture against a side struggling towards the foot of the table, with victory in that game meaning the Gladiators would have moved back into second on goal difference ahead of Emley and with a game in hand.
Leaders Redcar Athletic scored another late winner on Saturday to move 17 points clear on the top as the title looks all but secured, and they were due to welcome Matlock’s weekend hosts Heaton Stannington on Wednesday night (18th) – Heaton sitting ninth in the table prior to the midweek games.
Speaking after last weekend’s loss to Dunston, Matlock midfielder Liam Ravenhill said it was another frustrating day against a side going well in the league.
He said: “We didn’t really get going early on. The second-half was an improvement and we were unfortunate not to get another penalty at the end, but we’ve got to be better.
"Games against the top sides are different types of games – they have a bit more quality of course – but we do have good spells and it’s about putting the full 90 minutes together otherwise the good sides will punish you.”
Meanwhile, midfielder Theo Upton has had his loan from Blackpool extended until the end of the season, but defender Rio Canoville and striker Yerim Zoko have returned to their respective parent clubs Derby County and Notts County.