Thursday 23rd December 2010
by Ian Richardson

Matlock Town v Buxton on Christmas Monday at the Reynolds Stadium looks to be the proverbial six pointer at the top end of the Evo-Stik League Premier Division as the local rivals seek a play off spot come the end of the season.

The Gladiators are in sixth spot, three places and two points behind the third placed Bucks, but Mark Atkins' men have a game in hand.

A hard fought derby is on the cards, but the big question is will the match be on?

Last season's scheduled clash on Boxing Day at Matlock was frozen off as was the New Years Day meeting the season before. Monday could see an unwanted hat-trick of festive derby postponements which will hit the Gladiators hard financially.

A rescheduled midweek fixture later in the season tends to only attract half of the gate experienced at Christmas. This year Football League clubs are playing on Boxing Day (Sunday) and on the Tuesday, so the Monday is left free for non league clubs to attract more floating fans.

The big freeze cancelled the entire Evo-Stik League programme last weekend when Matlock were due to visit Stocksbridge Park Steels.

It has to be said that the forecast is far from inspiring for Monday. Snow was expected to fall overnight on Tuesday and into Wednesday daytime with the forecast up to Boxing Day giving sub zero temperatures for much of the time.

In fact, minus six degrees centigrade is forecast as a low for Christmas Day night while on Boxing Day a maximum temperature of minus two is predicted.

"It's a matter of being fully prepared if the game does take place" said a frustrated Atkins. "People will say it's a six pointer and I agree, it's a big game, for like us, they're going well in the league, it's a local derby and we always have tough games against them. But it's like any other game in the sense that you only get the three points if you win, but having won our last two in the league, we want to make it three."

Atkins described Saturday's postponement at Stocksbridge as a foregone conclusion but saw a silver lining.

"We were disappointed not to play, but it's not so bad when the whole programme gets cancelled, for we didn't fall any further behind with our programme. Training's gone well, we've had another good session on Tuesday so that we'll hopefully be ready by the time the pitches are fit to play on again."

Whenever Matlock play again, whether it be on Monday or later, they will be without both skipper James Lukic and full back Lee Featherstone who will complete two and three game bans respectively.

Atkins says he has "a few enquiries in on players" but will not consider adding to his squad, with loan players in particular, until there are definite signs that his team will return to action.

It seems likely that a pitch inspection will be required on Monday morning unless the Evo-Stik League give home clubs special dispensation to call a game off, as has happened previously this season when the wintry conditions have been extreme.

Fans are asked to check here for any latest updates, listen to the local radio, use the club's website at www.matlocktownfc.co.uk or contact the club on 01629 583866 or 07515 149352 for further information.

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Related Links

Matlock Town Website