FA Trophy test next for Matlock Town and new manager
Matlock Town and their new permanent boss Lewis Duckmanton tackle Kettering Town in the FA Trophy on Saturday on the back of a good league run.
They are fifth in the NPL East Division after a 3-0 win at North Ferriby last weekend sealed by goals from Jed Abbey, Declan Erratt-Thompson and Zak Goodson.
It was a continuation of the strong form under Duckmanton, now confirmed in the boss’s role with Sam Hird as his assistant. "I thought the players were great,” he said. “In possession they really embraced the challenge of North Ferriby. It’s a tough place to go because they play a contrast of styles.
"They try and build and at other times they go direct so you have to deal with both sides of the game.
"In terms of performance we were really good, relentless with attacks. There were bits we weren’t happy with and like I said to the players, we are not the finished article.
"They can improve and for me it’s inspiring where they can take this team.”
Duckmanton is an experienced operator, having worked in the National League as well as in the EFL.
His CV includes stints with Chesterfield, Barrow and Bolton Wanderers and he has helped Matlock in different capacities.
He will work under ambitious chairman David Hilton.
“The club has been horrendously unlucky with injuries and the chairman has been super supportive," said the new manager.
"During the interim the chairman asked what he could do to help. He has injected a lot of money into this side because he generally cares.
"People use it against us – big-spending Matlock – but if we tell the honest truth any person or manager at this club would use that investment if it was available to them.
"It has been a tough period and the last six games the team has performed incredibly well. We have had a couple of draws along the way but that is a football. We are going to have ups and downs but if a down is a draw then we are not going to be in a bad place.”
After the visit of Kettering to Causeway Lane in the Trophy's third qualifying round on Saturday (3pm), the Gladiators return to the first priority of the league on Tuesday (7.4pm) at home to Bradford Park Avenue.
Added Duckmanton: “I cannot stand here and promise success, because football does not work that way. What I can promise is that we will work tirelessl, every single day to improve this team, raise standards and give us the best possible opportunity.
“I hope what you’ve seen from the team during the last six games is commitment, hard work and pride. I want players who are prepared to leave absolutely everything on that pitch and represent this club, this town and its supporters with the passion they deserve."