Matlock Town's pre-season campaign produced a comfortable victory at the hands of Carlton Town as the Gladiators ran out 4-1 winners in their final warm-up match before the league season.
Big debut for new defender
The most notable newcomer on the pitch was Dutch centre-back Levi Andoh, who has joined the club following spells at non-league sides including York City, Hereford, Truro City, Darlington and most recently Kettering. The 26-year-old, who stands 6ft 4in, featured in the match and was singled out by the coaching staff for a strong showing.
Assistant manager Ricky Ravenhill said Andoh demonstrated his defensive strengths and also an ability to carry the ball forward. In a match that served as a final run-out before the start of the Northern Premier League East Division campaign, Matlock looked cohesive and created numerous opportunities.
“Levi put on a very good show against Carlton. We know what he's about and he showed the people who haven’t seen him what he can do,”
Ravenhill added that the team were comfortable with how pre-season preparations have progressed and that the club remains open to further additions should the right candidate become available. Matlock have a break from competitive fixtures until their league opener at home to Dunston on 8 August, a side who were fellow play-off contenders last season.
- Scoreline: Matlock Town 4, Carlton Town 1
- Double scorers: Conor Washington, Ryan McLean
- Next fixture: Northern Premier League East Division opener vs Dunston, 8 August (home)
| Goalscorer | Number of goals |
|---|---|
| Conor Washington | 2 |
| Ryan McLean | 2 |
McLean, a winger recently signed from Buxton, contributed a brace and demonstrated the attacking threat Ravenhill says the squad possess. The assistant manager observed progress across successive pre-season fixtures and reiterated that while the club are actively monitoring potential signings, any incoming player must "add something to the team".
The outcome of the friendly offers encouragement for Matlock supporters heading into the new campaign. With a blend of familiar faces and recent recruits, the Gladiators will use the remaining fortnight of preparation to refine combinations and fitness ahead of a competitive season in which expectations remain cautious but optimistic.
