23/24 On The Road: Matlock Town

Following a midweek postponement, the Lions will be back at it this weekend when they visit Derbyshire to take on Matlock Town, writes Scott Kelly.

Tickets/Travel

Tickets can be purchased on the day at the turnstiles with cash or card payment or online now.

Tickets are priced at:

  • £12 Adults
  • £8 Concessions
  • £5 U18s
  • £3 U15s
  • U10s FREE with a full paying adult

You can pick up a matchday programme priced at £2 each.

The Lions will wear their white and blue home kit for this fixture.

Coach travel is available with Guiseley AFC Supporters’ Club, just call Paul on 07518 445861 to secure a seat.

The coach leaves Nethermoor at 10:30am priced at £20 for members and £25 for non-members.


Previous Meetings

The Lions won 4-0 against these opponents in November. A convincing victory saw goals come from Tom Pratt, Gabriel Johnson, Kallan Murphy and Prince Ekpolo.

Guiseley also did the double over these opponents in 22/23, and Matlock have only beaten the Lions once in the last 12 meetings between the sides.


Last Time Out

Guiseley’s play-off hopes are all but over following a 2-0 home defeat to Warrington Rylands, who now look all but certain of a play-off berth themselves.

The Gladiators were hammered 4-0 away against Radcliffe, a side who look certain of securing the championship. Matlock have also only won one of their last 11 league matches.


The Lions’ Form Book

Form has simply not been good enough. Two consecutive defeats to Ilkeston and Lancaster ultimately cost Andy Welsh his job as manager of the club. Liam Tongue led the side on Saturday against Warrington Rylands. The Lions 2-0 defeat meant it is the first time the side have lost three consecutive home matches since December 2021 and has all but put paid to any play-off hopes.

They meet a Matlock side in poor form, and with the Worksop clash postponed, there can be no argument that this is a must win for a Lions side heavily reliant on other results going their way in order to move up the table.


A Look At Matlock Town

Founded: 1878
Managers: Mark Atkins/Adam Yates
Nickname: The Gladiators
Stadium: Proctor Cars Stadium
Current league position: 17th

Matlock also had their game postponed in midweek, as they were due to face Ashton United. They will be wanting to bounce back from five straight defeats in the league and come up against an out of sorts Guiseley side so it could be argued it could be the perfect opportunity for them to end a poor run of form.

The Gladiators parted company with manager Martin Carruthers last month only for him to then join relegation rivals Basford United. His move to Nottinghamshire has seen a steady rise in form which is something Mark Atkins and Adam Yates have failed to get from their side. They will be breathing a slight sigh of relief though knowing that they come into this game with an eight-point buffer ahead of the relegation zone and 19th placed Stafford.

Their squad however is full of much experience. Adam Yates is joint interim manager and is a stalwart of the club and recently had a testimonial.

Scott Boden is a forward who has played for York City and Chesterfield. Liam Hardy is a forward who recently joined the club on loan from Macclesfield. Curtis Durose is a Rotherham loanee, who played for Scarborough Athletic earlier in the season. Connor Dimaio is now 28 and started his career with Sheffield United. Jack Degruchy and Tavonga Kuleya are also with the club with the pair on loan from Doncaster Rovers.


A Look At The Lions

Liam Tongue will have Ollie Brown back available after the right back missed the last two games through suspension.

The game will likely come too soon for Leigh Whelan though after his head injury last week.

Callum Chippendale got his first league minutes in 2024 on Saturday and could come into contention for a start in this one against his former club.

Lewis Whitham and Laurence Sorhaindo remain out.


What Are They Saying?

“First goal we haven’t defended right. Second goal we haven’t won the first contact, and we certainly haven’t won the second contact. As daft as it sounds, the effort level is there, there is no doubt about that”. 

Caretaker Manager Liam Tongue was critical of the sides defending which led to the two goals which secured Warrington Rylands’ the three points on Saturday. He did however appear optimistic ahead of the visit of Worksop.

“I think other than the two chances, and a couple that we had in the first half, there wasn’t much in it. It’s a tough one to take but we move onto Tuesday now”. 

Tongue remains optimistic after an even game, and feels the squad have the ability to put things right straight away.

“I don’t care if we have to go to Workington away last day of the season and we need four results to go our way. It means we have done something right to get us into this position”.

Adamant his side can get the maximum 12 points available from the last four games, Tongue just wants the side to have something to play for on the final day of the season.

“You draw a line under it, you turn up Tuesday and you give everything you can over the next 90 minutes to try and get the best result we can”.

Tongue has told his players to forget about Saturday’s result and prepare for Tuesday and to give their all to get a positive result.

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