‘Top strikers mean top money’ - Matlock boss keen to strengthen

They have scored just once in four pre-season matches so far, albeit three of those fixtures have been against teams higher up the football pyramid, in the shape of Mansfield Town, Chesterfield and Buxton.

In the off-season, Phillips lost last season’s top scorer Liam Hughes, who moved to Worksop Town, and Ross Hannah, who expressed a desire to play closer to home due to family commitments.

Their exits have resulted in Jake Day joining the club from Scarborough Athletic, while pacey striker Arron Opoku has been brought in from Carlton Town and Reece Webb-Foster is back in contention as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury picked up at the end of last season.

Phillips is keen to continue bolstering his options in the final third, but with the 2022/23 Pitching In NPL Premier Division season fast approaching, he admits that doing business is easier said than done.

“I think we’ll have to be patient as things are still happening in the higher leagues with regard to players," he told the club's official website. "As we all know, top strikers means top money.

"I’ve been after four or five players and thought I’d got two over the line but ended up being blown out of the water by higher offers from elsewhere, one even going abroad.

"But I’ll keep on working to bring in players I think that can fit the bill.”

Photo Credit: Matlock Town