Morpeth Town host Matlock Town in the second part of a Craik Park double header this week.

After defeat at home to Guiseley on Tuesday night, the Highwaymen will be hoping to earn their first points of the Pitching In NPL Premier Division campaign when they entertain last season’s play-off semi-finalists Matlock.

The latter has had a start of fine margins, winning their opener 1-0 before a 1-0 defeat at Radcliffe on Tuesday night.

LAST TIME WE MET

Neither game between the two sides last season was particularly eventful, with no goals scored by either side over 180 minutes.

The most recent encounter between the two, a goalless draw in Derbyshire, saw Morpeth keeper Dan Lowson put in a fine performance to keep the cleansheet intact. The stopper pulled off a string of superb saves to deny an increasingly frustrated home side, with Ryan Donaldson spurning the Highwaymen’s best chance of the game.

THE GAFFER

Morpeth Town manager Craig Lynch is expecting a tough challenge when his side welcomes Matlock to Craik Park for a 3pm kick-off

“Matlock will be a tough game. We had two 0-0 draws with them last season and they’ve had a 1-0 win and a 1-0 loss this season,” he said.

“It’s going to be a game of cat and mouse, a game of chess and we need to make sure we are defensively sound.

“We’ve got to make sure it’s a joint effort.”

THE OPPOSITION

Matlock boss Paul Phillips has already fired a warning across the bows of his squad after the opening two games, with the manager unhappy with the showing at Radcliffe in midweek.

“We’re only two games in but some lads need a rocket up their bum, those that may think they’re automatic choices might be in for a surprise,” he said.

“It’ll be a difficult game, they’ll be desperate for three points. They may have lost their first two games but they’ll not be down the bottom end for long.

“I fully expect them to be challenging at the other end.”

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets are available online – click here to purchase – and also on the gate on the day (cash only):

Adults – £12

Concessions – £8

Kids – £4

Under-5s – Free