The Lions return to action on Tuesday night at Nethermoor in the Emirates FA Cup third round qualifying against Matlock Town.
Due to current restrictions the game is being played behind closed doors with more details to come on how you can follow the game from home.
It will be the first game for the home side in a week after Saturday’s postponement at Boston United. We go into the game having played two fixtures so far, scoring eight goals and conceding none.
Matlock however were in action on Saturday beating Ashton United 4-1 in Derbyshire with former Lion Liam Hughes getting on the scoresheet.
Town sit fifth in the Pitching In Premier Division with two wins, a draw and a loss in their first four games.
They also name former Lions Spencer Harris and Chib Chilaka in their squad alongside Hughes.
The Gladiators have reached the third round qualifying stage of the Emirates FA Cup by beating OJM Black Country, Quorn and Grantham, they are yet to concede a goal in the competition this season.
After Saturday’s postponement because of Covid-19 cases in the Boston United camp Joint First Team Manager Russ O’Neill said: “It is a worry. It is going to be one of those seasons. Everyone wanted to get the season started as it is a huge part of everybody’s community, but we have to accept that these are difficult times.”
“It will be a rollercoaster and games will get called off. It will be an up and down season. There is going to be Covid cases and fixtures called off, and that will breath a different problem in itself. ”
Russ loves the Emirates FA Cup and hopes there will be another long run for The Lions “There is a story told in the FA Cup every year by a player or a club. We had our story a couple of years ago, beating Cambridge and drawing Fleetwood in the second round (which ended in a narrow 2-1 defeat). We will be looking to try go on another run which would be really enjoyable and does wonders for the dressing room.”
Looking at our opponents O’Neill added “Matlock will be a tough physical team. They have had some strong results (this season) so we are expecting a real tough test.”
“It is a big thing for us to try and make our home form as good as we were away last season. Eight goals and a couple of clean sheets is a great start to try and address that.”
New signing Ashton Hall made his debut in the 4-0 win over Blyth Spartans and the joint manager is delighted to secure his services on loan “He is somebody we have known about for a bit, he started out at Sheffield and then played non league at Matlock before United signed him back. He is available and we are playing a back three, he gives us depth in that position, he had a good debut and I am really pleased for him. He gives us strength in depth.”
