Gladiators look back in delight!

Joint Gladiators managers Craig Hopkins and Glenn Kirkwood told the club's fans on Tuesday that the Burton Albion hot-shot is going nowhere after the League One Brewers agreed to extend his stay in the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight.

With 18 league and cup goals since arriving, the 20-year-old striker-cum-winger is already a firm favourite at the DCJ Group Arena with fans regularly belting out "Don't look back in Dinanga" to the Oasis hit "Don't look back in anger".

Dinanga was at Mickleover Sports on loan last term and Hopkins is delighted that he is staying to spearhead his fifth-placed side's push for promotion after the forward's goal settled their 1-0 Bank Holiday Monday derby win at Ilkeston FC.

Hopkins said: "Everything's sorted and we have him with us until the end of the season and it's a big lift for all of us. All the lads are absolutely delighted he's staying here and we feel it'll do him good as well, so all in all, it's brilliant for both the football club and Marcus. He's got tons of ability, we're pleased with the progress he's made and it's a big compliment to us that we've managed to keep him."

Hopkins is also happy with his latest addition to Matlock's striking options after signing pacy former Mansfield Town winger Anthony Dwyer from Stafford Rangers.

The 20-year-old made his first start for the Gladiators in place of the injured Marc Newsham against Ilkeston, the club he was with at the start of the season, and Hopkins said: "He did well particularly as he's not started a game for a while but he's the type of lad who'll put himself about and will be a good addition to the squad."

Looking ahead to hosting bottom-of-the-table Corby Town on Saturday, Hopkins added: "We need to be on our toes once again and make sure we do our job. Yes, we're up to fifth but we're not thinking about the play-offs, Saturday and the Corby game is all we have on our minds at the moment. We had a fantastic crowd against Buxton on Boxing Day, we'd really like to see a lot of those people back watching and supporting us against Corby."

* Matlock's Integro League Cup clash at home to Basford United has been put back two weeks to Tuesday January 24 as Basford have a Nottinghamshire Senior Cup tie that week. Last Thursday's postponed league trip to take on Skelmersdale United at Stormy Corner has been penciled in for Tuesday February 21 while the club's league visit to Grantham is now scheduled for St Valentine's night.

Image courtesy of @Matlock_TownFC

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