Matlock Town v Blyth Spartans | Saturday, 24 January 2026 - 15:00 | League

Matchday Information

Ticket Prices: £12 for adults, £8 for concessions, £4 for 11-18 year olds & free entry for under 11's.

Blyth Spartans travel to Derbyshire looking to continue their excellent form in recent weeks as they face Matlock Town in the NPL East.

Spartans ran out 4-0 victors over Grimsby Borough at Croft Park last weekend after Michael Fowler extended his goal tally to five for the season with a double.

Blyth will be aware of the dangers Matlock can cause, but it is a challenge that Spartans have already faced and overcome earlier in the season.

The Hosts: Matlock Town

Matlock currently sit second in the NPL East and have been very consistent throughout the season, having lost only five of their 25 matches so far.

The Gladiators were relegated from the NPL Premier Division last season alongside Spartans, but have taken to life in the NPL East with ease and look on course to reach the play-offs in an attempt to bounce straight back up.

Matlock have won their last three matches in the league, most recently beating Bridlington Town on Tuesday evening. They will be looking to continue their excellent home form, where they have only lost one game at the Reynolds Sports Ground.

The Visitors: Blyth Spartans

Blyth are also in fine form themselves, picking up nine points from a possible 12 with their only defeat in the last four coming on New Year's Day, with the squad feeling like they have turned a corner this season.

Spartans have scored eight goals in their last two league matches, putting four past both Bridlington and Grimsby Borough, proving that confidence is growing among the forward line, adding a clinical edge to Spartans performances.

As they sit within touching distance of safety, the motivation will be high amongst the squad to get out of the relegation zone and put some distance between themselves and the drop zone as they head towards the business end of the season.

Last Time Out: Blyth Spartans 2-1 Matlock Town

Tuesday, 21 October was the last time the two sides faced each other in the NPL East, with Spartans on an eight-game winless run and in desperate need of points with their position in the table.

It was a fantastic start for the hosts, who led within two minutes through Jeremy Perera. Kyle Downey whipped a corner deep towards the back post, and Perera was on hand to poke the ball home, giving Spartans an early advantage.

Spartans maintained pressure in the first half after taking the lead with half-chances falling to Paddy McClafferty, Benji Shodeinde and Euan Potts, but none were converted to extend their lead.

Matlock punished Spartans for their wasted chances in the 38th minute as Ben Sault equalised, a powerful drive into the box allowed him to beat Blyth's defence and round Callum Dobson to slot home into an empty net.

Half Time: Blyth Spartans 1-1 Matlock Town

Matlock looked the stronger side after the break and were looking to take advantage after levelling the game before half-time; however, they were unable to create anything clear-cut, and the game remained level.

Connor Washington was played through and faced a one-on-one with Dobson despite the Spartans' appeals for offside. The flag stayed down, but Dobson came out on top with an excellent save to keep the hosts in the game.

A huge chance fell at the feet of Shodeinde to put Spartans ahead after pressure from Potts forced the Matlock defence into a mistake, but his effort was blazed over the bar, sparing the visiting defence.

With Blyth growing in confidence, they enjoyed a sustained period of pressure, and with 15 mins to go, they took advantage with one of the goals of the season. A well-worked passage of play allowed Potts possession in the opposition box. He laid the ball off for McClafferty who whipped a ball towards the back post which looped over the goalkeeper and into the far corner.

Full Time: Blyth Spartans 2-1 Matlock Town

Team News

There are no suspensions or injuries within the squad, meaning Marc Nash has a full squad at his disposal for Saturday afternoon's clash in Derbyshire.

Media Coverage

You can follow all of the action on Saturday afternoon via our social media platforms and BlythLive on Mixlr from 2:50pm.