Duo added to friendly list

At present, Matlock will open their programme with a trip to Teversal on Saturday, July 13, while the other extra game sees them travel to Mickleover Sports on Tuesday, August 6.

Mickleover are managed by former Gladiators Glenn Kirkwood and Craig Hopkins, who took over midway through last season from former Derby defender Dick Pratley after Sports struggled in Evo-Stik First Division South following relegation from the top tier at the end of the 2011/12 campaign.

Further links with the Gladiators come in the form of midfielder Gary Webster and striker Nathan Benger, who followed Kirkwood and Hopkins from Heanor Town.

Matlock are still awaiting replies from at least two Football League clubs as they look to add home games to their schedule.

But Derby County are confirmed as visitors to the Reynolds Stadium, with Nigel Clough sending a squad of players to the Derbyshire Dales on Tuesday, July 30.

The pre-season schedule for Matlock currently sees the trip to Teversal followed by a visit to Staveley Miners Welfare on Friday, July 19.

The Derby game will be followed by an away match at Clipstone Miners Welfare on Saturday, August 3, before Mickleover host Matlock three days later.

The Evo-Stik Premier Division season begins on Saturday, August 17, with fixtures due to be released on July 17.

There will be four extra matches in the division next season due to the addition of two more teams, meaning Matlock will play 42 games in total, not including cup matches.

Meanwhile, the warm Bank Holiday weather helped Matlock Town earn some much-needed cash when they converted their pitch into a car park as visitors descended on the town.

Cars parked at the ground on both Sunday and Monday as pleasant weather drew thousands to the town’s attractions.

A club spokesman said: “It proved to be a good source of revenue for us and with the weather being warm and dry it didn’t damage the pitch in any shape or form.”