Ground #416 - Causeway Lane

Date: 1st January 2026
Location: Matlock, Derbyshire
Ground: Causeway Lane

My first new ground of 2026 was on Thursday 1st January at Causeway Lane in Matlock, Derbyshire. The game was Matlock Town vs. Silsden in Northern Premier League Division One East.

Causeway Lane lies in the eastern part of Matlock, close to the town centre. It sees the road which gives the ground its name running to the west and there are apartment buildings directly behind the northern goal. Green space takes up the areas to the east and south with parkland and a cricket pitch respectively. It is a third of a mile south east of Matlock railway station and has been home to the club for over 100 years.

The entrance to the ground is on the western side by the road. There are covered stands running most of the length of the field though they are set some way back from the pitch with a large walkway area in front. The structures consist of one section with two rows of plastic seats with two rows of benches behind. There are a large number of supporting beams holding up the roof here. Next to this is another stand which is covered standing.

The opposite side of the field houses the main stand. Known as The Twigg Stand, this is a 275 capacity all-seater constructed in 2010. The players tunnel is pulled out the middle of this stand with the players then heading down steps to the pitch, passing by the two dugouts. To the south of this is an impressive new clubhouse and bar including cinema section with a giant screen and cinema style seating. There is a small open standing area beyond this while the other facility on this side of Causeway Lane is a food outlet to the north of the main stand. The northern end has a flat concrete area behind the goal and then a covered concrete terrace which tapers from one level up to five levels in the middle of the stand. There is an additional toilet block in the north-east corner. The ground is three-sided due to the cricket pitch with the area behind the southern goal off limits to spectators.

Matlock were riding high in the table in 3rd place but had had an odd week prior to the game. After losing 3-0 at Ossett they parted company with their manager only for him to return two days later ready to manage this game. Silsden occupied 17th in the table so any points would have been a bonus. The away side's hopes didn't last long though with Matlock scoring within 5 minutes - a ball from the right bobbled in the box and was struck home by Cameron Wilson. A few minutes later a well struck 30-yard effort from Declan Errat-Thompson fizzed just over the bar. The second goal arrived in the 20th minute following a cross from the right hand side, and Jake Thompson nicking in front of the keeper to loop the ball over him, seeing the ball awkwardly dribble over the line. The visitors would've been pleased to keep the score down to two for half-time as a clearance off the line from a Conor Washington shot and a good low down save from a Jake Thompson effort could have seen them further behind. Thompson curled just wide from the edge of the area shortly after the break before Silsden managed to craft their first two chances of the afternoon - Luke Brooksbank's shot from outside the area was acrobatically tipped over and then Dylan Wilkinson spurned an opportunity when he was put through, bypassed the last defender but then scuffed his shot well wide. The contest was done and dusted in the 66th minute when Jake Thompson knocking in the rebound after Conor Washington's shot was saved. Matlock managed to wrap up a 4-0 victory late on through Alfie Atherton's effort a minute into injury time.

Result: Matlock Town 4-0 Silsden

Division: Northern Premier League Division One East

Attendance: 829