Why should I watch..?

To see if Witton can maintain the momentum they have in 2018 despite not playing since a 1-1 draw at Grantham Town a fortnight ago.

Carl Macauley’s men are unbeaten since the turn of the year, although they enter the weekend with an eight-point gap to close on fifth-placed Ashton United in the Northern Premier League’s Premier Division table.

They travel to Derbyshire buoyed by a six-match sequence without losing on the road that dates back to the start of November.

Matlock have struggled for consistency all season, sit 18th in the standings.

The Gladiators have failed to keep a clean-sheet in a league fixture since a 2-0 win against Halesowen on November 25 – and have played 10 times since.

What they’ve said

“We’re concentrating on getting a good result.

“Witton are a good side with energy and good players; it’ll be a hard game, but we’re looking forward to it.

“It was a cracking match up there that could have finished 6-6.”

Craig Hopkins, Matlock Town co-manager

“I think it’s the first time this season when we’ve had everybody available for selection.

“That’s definitely a good thing for us as a management team, but it also means there will be one or two disappointed players not involved.”

Carl Macauley, Witton Albion manager

Numbers game

Witton are unbeaten in their past seven matches away from Wincham Park in all competitions – their best run of results on the road this season

Matlock team news

The Gladiators announced on Friday that teenage attacker Ricardo German, on target for Matlock during a 3-3 draw at Wincham Park in November, has returned to the club for a second loan spell from Chesterfield.

Jake Green is available again after recovering from a groin injury while Brad-Lee Gascoigne, a new recruit in defence that made his debut against Warrington last week, hopes to build on an encouraging first appearance.

Witton team news

Manager Carl Macauley reports a clean bill of health for his squad for probably the first time this season.

Defender Nick Ryan has been given the all-clear to return after a fracturing his jaw before Christmas, while wide-man Owen Dale starts another month on loan with Witton from Crewe Alexandra.

Man to keep an eye on

Danny McKenna

His recent form has so far prevented club captain Anthony Gardner from returning to the starting line-up after recovering from an injury.

The 20-year-old produced one of his best appearances for Witton in a 1-1 draw at Grantham last time out, and his delivery from set-pieces is becoming an important part of their attacking armoury.

Form guide (past six in league)

Matlock L W L W L L

Witton D W D W D L

Most recent meetings

Witton 3-3 Matlock (NPL Premier Division, November 18 2017)

Matlock 3-0 Witton (NPL Premier Division, January 24 2015)

Witton 1-3 Matlock (NPL Premier Division, October 11 2014)

Odds (Skybet)

Matlock 11/8

Draw 5/2

Witton 7/5

Essential information

When Saturday, February 17

Kick-off 3pm

Address DCJ Insurance Group Arena, Causeway Lane, Matlock DE4 3AR

Admission Adults £10, Concessions £6.50, Students £5, Under 18s £3, Under 10s Free

Parking None at the ground. Nearest public car parks are at the railway station and on Bank Road.