Matthews must have impressed manager Jimmy Quinn when City visited Northwich in the FA Cup last November, when he scored in City's 5-2 victory. However, since the turn of the year he only played four times and new manager Jan Molby placed him on the transfer list at the end of the season. With no takers, the club decided to pay off his contract.
He made his first appearance in the green and white of Northwich in the friendly at Tranmere Rovers yesterday. He made a dream start by scoring twice - with a deflected shot and a lob - and they looked like causing an upset against the Second Division side after going 4-1 up. However, Rovers came back to get a 4-4 draw.