Matlock Town boss hails his defence after two more clean sheets

The Gladiators beat title favourites South Shields 1-0 at the weekend, before repeating the scoreline at Grantham on Tuesday.

It leavs on-form Matlock in second spot, three points behind leaders Warrington Town with a game in hand.

“We’ve defended brilliantly, lads have again thrown their bodies on the line to keep the clean sheet in both games, it again shows the spirit we have here in the club,” he said.

"I can’t praise them enough and particularly Jake Hull who at eighteen/nineteen has come in for his first NPL game and won challenge after challenge, header after header and kept a very good player in Jake Stobbs quiet.

"What a debut, he never put a foot wrong and he’s really given me something to think about for Saturday as Yatesy will be available again.”

A capacity 600 crowd due to Covid-19 restrictions on Step 3 clubs attendances, is expected for the visit of Scarborough who are likely to include three former Gladiators in defenders Harry Coates, Lewis Turner and Bailey Gooda.

“It’ll be another hard game, one to relish though, we’ll have to take a look at how people are and get their bodies ready for Saturday,” Phillips added.

Hughes and Kade Coppin remain suspended but Matlock hope that Craig King will be back in the fold after a sickness bug. Nathan Whitehead made a late appearance as a substitute after 15 months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Phillips confirmed he is still looking to strengthen in attack, but added he still expects the defence to stay strong.

“Yes we’re looking for that striker, every club is, they cost money so we want the right deal but a successful team is built from the back and defensively we’ve done very well as the statistics show,” he said.

"If you can defend as we’ve been doing and take your chance when it comes along as we did at South Shields and use the pace of the likes of Callum Dolan and Osebi Abadaki, plus keep hold of possession in attack then we’ll not be far short.”

Matlock have been draw away to Coalville Town in the 1st Qualifying Round of the Buildbase FA Trophy. The tie will take place on 31st Oct.