All eyes on the play-offs for Matlock as semi-final looms
Matlock Town’s bid to return to step three at the first time of asking will come to a climax over the next week as they enter the NPL Division One East play-offs.
Their home semi-final will take place at the Proctor Cars Stadium next Tuesday night, with their fifth-placed opponents as yet unknown going into the final weekend of regular fixtures, although it is guaranteed to be one of Emley AFC, Bradford (Park Avenue) or Pontefract Collieries, with Bradford currently sitting fifth. Dunston UTS are third but are guaranteed at least fourth spot.
Should Matlock then be successful, the final will also take place at the Proctor Cars Stadium on Saturday, May 2.
And joint interim manager Ryan Cresswell says that after five wins in a row following last Saturday’s 3-2 success at Newton Aycliffe, confidence is high.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s final game of the regular campaign at home to Grimsby Borough, he said: “Obviously we want to go into the play-offs on the back of a really positive run, but the players know how vital the play-offs will be and we’ll have a game plan and try and stick to it.
"We’ll also look to put on a good display for what will be a big home crowd. Whoever the opponents are it’ll be tough because they’re in there on merit and have earned the right to be there just as much as we have, but we’ll go into it confident and hopefully come out the other end unscathed and advance into the final, just as our opponents will be keen to do.
"We’ve got a good group with some good heads on them and take on board information really well, so long may that continue and hopefully we can make it a really good campaign.”
In the final fixtures, Bradford (PA) go to Ossett United who are battling for survival while Dunston and Pontefract play each other in the north-east, with the home side’s play-off place already secured. Emley host already-relegated Newton Aycliffe.