Matt Scholes has been appointed as the referee for Tamworth's National League Premier away fixture against Yeovil Town this weekend. This marks Scholes's first appearance as the main official for a league game this season, with the match set for Huish Park on Saturday.
Scholes has spent the majority of his career in National League North but stepped up to referee eight games in the Premier division last term. In those matches, he showed 25 yellow cards and one red, while also awarding three penalties. His experience this season has come in Premier League 2, including a 5-0 win for Manchester United's youth side over Ipswich Town where Leon Elliot was sent off for two second-half challenges.
Matt Scholes is a relatively new face at National League Premier level. His debut as the lead official for a Yeovil Town game comes after he served as fourth official at Huish Park in April 2025 for a 1-1 draw with Forest Green Rovers. He also has international experience, having refereed an England under-19s victory over Italy at St George's Park back in 2021.
For Tamworth, the appointment comes as they look to improve on their current league position of 17th, having taken four points from their opening four games. Their recent form reads WLLD, and they have scored eight goals while conceding eleven, leaving them with a -3 goal difference.
Knowing the referee's tendencies can influence a team's tactical discipline. Scholes's average of just over three yellow cards per game last season suggests a firm but not overly card-happy approach. The single red card across eight matches indicates that dismissals are rare, but the three penalties awarded show he is willing to make big calls in the box.
Tamworth will need to be sharp defensively, especially given they have conceded 11 goals already. The team sits eight points behind early leaders Sutton United, so a positive result on the road is important to close that gap. Fans can review the team's defensive record on our stats section.
Scholes will be assisted by Dave Middleton and Steven Plane on the lines, with Ashley Allen named as the fourth official. A cohesive officiating team is vital for managing a competitive National League fixture, and this group brings a mix of experience to the match.
For Tamworth, the focus will be on translating their attacking output, eight goals scored, into points on the board. This game is a key opportunity to move up the table. Supporters looking ahead can view the upcoming schedule on our fixtures page.
The trip to Yeovil represents a chance for Tamworth to build momentum. With a referee making his season debut in the division, both teams will be keen to make a strong impression early on. Managing the game intelligently could be the difference between taking one point or all three back to Staffordshire.
