No.46 – Tues. 20th February 2007; Unibond League Cup Round 3              7.45 at Causeway Lane, Matlock, Derbyshire (att: 193; prog: 56 pp £1)  View matchday images  01 02 03 04 05 06 Matlock Town (1) 3  Kidsgrove Athletic (0) 1              It's definitely 'Pollice Verso' as Gladiators return to the arena          Heavy rainfall during the last couple of months has affected many clubs throughout the football pyramid. None more so than at Matlock Town who have lost several fixtures due to the poor weather conditions. Indeed their Causeway Lane ground was so badly waterlogged recently that the Derbyshire side had to play one of their 'home' games at neighbouring Gesley Rovers instead. Thankfully the pitch passed an inspection for this game much to the delight of all Gladiators' fans . As expected the match was played on a rather heavy surface. The rain returned and the pitch soon started to cut up again, no doubt giving the groundsman yet another migraine attack. Matlock dominated play and definitely looked the better side, creating loads of chances. Amazingly by half-time the boys in blue had only one goal to show for all their hard work. It was only when the visitors pullled one back, that Town raised their game scoring twice late on to book their place in the next round of the competition. The Geoquip Stadium in Causeway Lane is situated close to the town centre. Once inside the ground you can really appreciate its beautiful location where most of the surrounding buildings are perched high up on the sloping terrain carved into a landscape that is the Peak Distict; it is a place popular with tourists who visit or pass through this Derbyshire town. The ground itself seems to be just as dated with its old perimeter walls, fading stands and cracked terracing. We found it quite difficult to watch the game from inside the main stand; the seats are not banked high enough to view the action over the spectators standing on the paddock in front. The large number of roof supports can also block your sight lines and this naturally adds to the frustration. However the club is hoping to construct a new stand in the not too distant future and a 'Buy A Brick' initiative asking fans to donate £25 is outlined in the programme. In return for this sum their names will be added to a Board of Honour erected inside the ground! Hmmm. Tea bars situated on opposite sides of the ground provided a mouth- watering range of hot and cold food including, you've guessed, the northern delicacy of meat and potato pie with mushy peas and mint sauce! A magnificent 56-page programme, price £1.20, was issued and this comes complete with a glossy colour cover containing both match details and team line ups. Inside there are plenty of interesting news articles and statistics making for a really good read. Bigger clubs take note!  The match attracted almost 200 spectators several of whom had made the trip from Staffordshire. A handful of travellers were also in attendance -this included hopping 'guru' Dave Woodings who, as always, kept me informed of things to do with football, pointing out that the home player wearing No.6 was in fact James Lukic, son of legendary football league star, Jon, no less. Great stuff!     FGIF Rating: 4*  Links - Map l Matlock Town FC website