Matlock Town joint boss Glenn Kirkwood insists he is not thinking about promotion

Matlock jumped two places up the table after their narrow 2-1 success against Barwell at the DCJ Group Arena on Tuesday, their third league win on the bounce.

Their current form of only one league defeat in ten league outings has got fans in the town talking after some mediocre seasons recently.

“We’re not thinking about promotion, relegation or anything, all we can think about is doing our best to win the next game,” said Kirkwood.

“We know that Whitby have had an unbelievable season, so well done to them, but we’re going to go up there and hopefully enjoy ourselves and do our utmost to bring back the three points. We know what we’ll get out of these lads we have, fantastic workrate and effort.”

Kirkwood admits the absence of skipper Adam Yates through a one game ban after collecting five yellow cards is a blow, but he believes Nico de Girolamo will rise to the challenge at the Turnbull Ground.

Kirkwood added: “Ideally we’d like to have Adam playing on Saturday, it’s a blow but something we can comfortably cope with. Adam’s a magnificent player but don’t forget that in the three games before Spennymoor, Nico de Girolamo was also magnificent.”

Those ethics of workrate and effort have been clearly demonstrated in Town’s last two matches.

Last weekend they travelled to NPL Premier Division title favourites Spennymoor Town in the FA Trophy without the unavailable Ted Cribley, the banned Michael Williams and the injured Marc Newsham but came away with a memorable 2-1 victory.

Then after looking like a well oiled machine in the opening half against Barwell, Matlock had to do the ugly side of the game well as they held out for an identical win.

““We did well against a good side, a typical NPL side, sharp and strong,” said Kirkwood.

“Ideally we’d have been in front by more but their goalkeeper’s played well and we’ve missed chances. In the second half Barwell went more direct and give them credit, they stopped us from playing, but we defended very well apart from that blip near the end. Our only bit of quality in the second half brought us the second goal but we stuck at it, that’s the pleasing thing and it showed the spirit we have.”

Matlock will travel to Grantham Town in the next round of the FA Trophy on Saturday week after the Gingerbreads emphatically won their home replay 4-0 against Stratford Town.

The two sides will be battling for league points first though as they clash at the DCJ Group Arena on Tuesday.