Matkock Town sign two more players

Kelvin Lugsden (right) has joined Matlock Town.

Coveney (21), who can also operate in central defence has captained Manchester City U18’s before signing a two year deal at Nottingham Forest in July 2017.

It came after he completed a two year scholarship at the Ethiad and being offered a contract by City.

He lifted the U18 Premier League North Trophy in 2016/17. and signed for NPL North West Division Colne following his release from Forest last summer.

Lugsden is vastly experienced at NPL level. Twin brother of former Buxton striker Kieran Lugsden, he was with Ramsbottom United last term but knows a number of the Matlock squad having played at Shaw Lane with Jon Stewart, Spencer Harris, Alex Byrne and Chib Chilalaka.

“Technically Joe’s a very good player having played at a high level although he;s still got a lot of learning to do,” said Phillips.

“He’s the type of lad who can play between the lines and open teams up so he’s a different type of player to some we have.

"He wants to get back into the professional game and hopefully we can help him do that”.

Phillips says that Lugsden’s experience will be invaluable to Matlock this season.

“He’s a good centre half and knows a lot of the lads we’ve already got here.

"He has a lot of competition to get into the side but with the volume of games we’ll have I think we’ll need defenders like Kelvin who can fit into a changing system.

"He knows what he’s got to do to get into the team but I don’t think you can ever have enough experience”.

Phillips added that his work on the transfer front is virtually done.

“I don’t think there’ll be much movement now, apart from a goalkeeper as back-up for Jon Stewart although you never know what might become available later on.”

Stewart injured his knee in training on Tuesday and after an examination it was confirmed there is no ligament damage. He should be back in action within the next fortnight.

Sefton Gonzales’ future at Matlock Town appears to be in grave doubt following recent no-shows.

The 6’5” Preston based striker was signed in June after being with South Shields last term and was seen as “the striker Matlock were looking for” at the time.

But Gonzales has not been at recent training sessions and he did not feature in Matlock’s opening pre-season friendly victory at Wythenshawe Town on Saturday.

“For me all of the players have set standards and Sefton hasn’t lived up to these standards," said Phillips.

"He’s a contract player who hasn’t fulfilled his obligations to the club. I can’t have it.

“No player’s bigger than the club. We took a punt on him and it’s blown up in our face, he had a reputation at his previous clubs.

"We have Liam Hughes and Braulio can play there, maybe it’s not such a bad thing.

"He’s still our player until someone comes in and takes up his contract or makes it financially viable for us to let them have him.”