It will be a first visit to the Causeway Lane Ground for Emley fans in over 30 years as we face a tough task in the Derbyshire Dales in what will be only the 11th meeting between the sides over the years (there were 2 league meetings between the old Wakefield club and Matlock in 2004-05).

With both sides looking to maintain their own play off push, they are both looking to push leaders Redcar Athletic for an automatic promotion place too, there are just 3 points separating 2nd placed Matlock and Emley in third, Matlock won the reverse fixture back in October at the Fantastic Media Welfare Ground and Emley will hope to make it two away wins between us this season.

Matlock are known as big spenders in this division and have a number of ex and current professionals in their ranks including Northern Ireland international Conor Washington and are playing at this level for the first time in 21 years following last season's relegation and expect to be promoted straight back up.

However, Emley's late, late win over Blyth Spartans at the weekend kept us right on Matlock's coat tails and was our 8th win in our last 9 games, with 6 clean sheets, the most in any league in England!!

Matlock have only lost twice in their last 12 games, both against West Yorkshire opponents in Ossett and Bradford PA, Emley will hope that's an omen as we head deep into the scenic Derbyshire Dales for a game that could have a big say in the promotion battle to come.

In their last game, The Gladiators thrashed North Ferriby 4-1 and they will be hoping to maintain their own impressive home form, only Heaton Stannington have won there this season, only 1 defeat from their 14 league games.

WHO ARE THEY?
The club was established in 1878 as Matlock Football Club , becoming Matlock Town in 1946, they played in the old Midland League, where they were twice champions, before joining the Northern Premier League in 1969, staying in the top division for over 25 years but failing to ever win the league.

Matlock were relegated to Division One in 1996, before earning promotion back 8 years later where they stayed until a second relegation back to D1 last season. Winners of the FA Trophy in 1974-75, they made it to the third round of the FA Cup in 1977, beating Wigan Athletic and Mansfield Town before bowing out 1-5 at Carlisle Utd.

They play at Causeway Lane in the town and are nicknamed The Gladiators.

LAST TIME WE MET: (as Emley)
7th October 1995, NPL PD
Emley 3-2 Matlock Town (Banks, Viner, Middleton) Att- 167

LAST TIME OUT:
Matlock Town 4-1 North Ferriby (Thompson, Wiley, Washington, Wilson), NPL D1 E, Att- 613
Emley 1-0 Blyth Spartans (Johnson), NPL D1 E, Att- 411

HEAD TO HEAD

Previous 5 meetings:
5th September, 1995 NPL P
MAT 1-1 EML (Butterfield) Att- 364

17th April 1995, NPL P
MAT 5-1 EML (Crowther) Att- 325

17th December 1994, NPL P
EML 0-1 MAT, Att- 259

9th April 1994, NPL P
EML 4-4 MAT(Jones, Tunnacliffe, Alcide, Jerome) Att-184

13th November 1993, NPL P
MAT 2-3 EML (Clarke, Alcide, Bradshaw) Att- 426

(ALL COMPETITIONS)

CURRENT FORM: Last 5
MAT: W, W, W, L, W
EML: W, D, W, W, W
CURRENT LEAGUE POSITION:
MAT: 2/24
EML: 3/24
GOALS SCORED:
MAT: 81
EML: 51
GOALS CONCEDED:
MAT: 42
EML: 30
TOP SCORER:
MAT: Cameron Wilson (17)
EML: Gabriel Johnson (9)
AVERAGE HOME CROWD:
MAT: 586 (769 league)
EML: 416 (416 league).

MATCHDAY INFORMATION:

WHEN? Saturday 21st February 2026, 3.00pm

WHERE?
The Proctor Cars Stadium
Causeway Lane, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 3AR

HOW DO WE GET THERE?
M1 to J9 (A617 Chesterfield), follow dual carriageway to junction with A61 and follow A61 (Derby), after 0.5 mile, turn right into St Augustine's Rd (s/p Matlock (A632) Buxton (A619), across roundabout and follow A632 into Matlock, past fire station and at bottom of hill, turn right for the ground and Matlock town centre parking.

Alternatively you can take the more leisurely, scenic route through The Hope Valley:

Take A616 towards or from Stocksbridge by-pass and turn onto Mortimer Rd at Midhopestones and follow this road over Strines Moor until you reach the A57 and follow this to Ladybower, turn right onto the A6013 (Bamford) then left onto the A6187 (Hathersage), at Hathersage, turn right onto Station Rd (B6001 Grindleford/Bakewell). At Grindleford, turn right following Bakewell/Eyam B6001, through Calver and Curbar, at Baslow take the 2nd exit and follow B6012 and past Chatsworth House and then take A6 at Rowsley , on approaching Matlock, keep straight on for the town centre and ground.

Public Transport: Nearest station- Matlock (change at Nottingham/Derby) approx. 10 mins walk.

PARKING?
There is no parking at the ground or on Causeway Lane itself, MTFC encourage supporters to use the town centre car parks if possible, details can be found here, as well as directions etc.

OWWW MUCH?
£12 (Adults)
£8 (Concession)
£4 (11-18 )
U11's are FREE but only with an accompanying adult ticket.

Tickets can be bought online here