Matlock keeper crisis averted after loan recall
Matlock Town faced a sudden battle to find a goalkeeper for their trip to Bishop Auckland on Saturday after loanee Jake Oram was recalled by his parent club on the morning of the game.
The Gladiators had released Myles Boney from his contract earlier in the week, with Oram expected to reclaim his place in goal having been a regular since joining on loan from Doncaster Rovers earlier in the season.
But his loan, which was due to run until January, was brought to an abrupt halt as Oram was set to board the bus to the north-east, when Rovers activated their recall clause due to a potential lack of cover for their game at Lincoln City.
Their second choice goalkeeper had initially become unavailable due to a personal issue the previous day, although despite Oram then being recalled as a result and initially being expected to be on the bench, he was ultimately not required as the original deputy became available for selection.
The Gladiators were subsequently granted special dispensation by the FA to bring in a goalkeeper on an emergency loan basis, although certain criteria had to be met, and Ellis Allen was recruited to play instead and played his part in the 4-2 success.
A Matlock club spokesman said: “Jake was recalled at short notice due to the potential unavailability of one of their first team goalkeepers and Jake was unfortunately required to return in order to ensure that they had adequate cover in that department.
"This was a decision that we completely understand despite the inconvenience it may have caused us.
“We can confirm that we are now actively working on bringing in at least one goalkeeper on a permanent basis that will provide the quality that we need to continue our promotion push.”
It is expected a new goalkeeper will be signed ahead of this weekend’s trip to Grimsby Borough, who Matlock beat 3-0 in the FA Trophy earlier this season at the Proctor Cars Stadium and who lay seventh in the NPL Division One East after last weekend’s games.
Meanwhile, Matlock have been drawn away to Glossop North End in the Derbyshire Senior Cup third round, the tie to be played in the first week of December.