Wednesday 30th March 2011
by IAN RICHARDSON
Their play off hopes may be fading but Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins insists that the fight goes on.
 Two precious points went astray as a two goal lead was squandered at home to relegation threatened Whitby Town on Saturday, a result which saw the Gladiators slip down to seventh spot.
But Tuesday night brought about a second successive defeat for fellow challengers Worksop Town who lost 1-0 at Frickley Athletic after another single goal home loss to Colwyn Bay at the weekend, which at least was evidence of other teams starting to feel the heat.
As for his Matlock side, Atkins admitted that their task is now a lot more difficult than it was in early March with their point against the Seasiders ending a run of four straight defeats.
"We've definitely made things a lot harder for ourselves than was the case three weeks ago. But there are still seven games left and twenty-one points to play for and we need to pick up as many points as we can.
"There's no point in us feeling sorry for ourselves. What has happened has happened. But I agree that we seem to keep on pressing the self-destruct button. Up to the Buxton game we'd been excellent defensively, we'd got the second best record in the division. But at present we keep on giving away cheap goals, teams are finding it too easy to get through us."
Whitby was a case in point. Matlock looked to be cruising as half time approached as Nathan Joynes and Lee Morris had scored in the opening half hour to give the hosts a 2-0 lead, but by the interval, two soft goals had got Whitby back on level terms.
Atkins does not believe in the 'curse' of the Manager of the Month with March seeing the Gladiators collect a miserly five out of twenty one points on offer after six wins out of six had earned him the February accolade.
"That's all in peoples heads, the truth of the matter is that we've not shown the mental toughness, we've crumbled, we've not stood up to be counted. The lads look nervous when they get in front, even at 2-0 on Saturday the nerves seemed to set in, they concede one and then things get worse. 2-0 up at home earlier in the season would probably have been game over, but clearly we've got to keep on working on things to overcome this problem."
Matlock could not face a more difficult task on Saturday when they travel to The Shay to take on runaway leaders and champions elect FC Halifax Town. But Atkins feels that his side should go there with a positive attitude.
"We've nothing to lose and people will be saying that Halifax will beat us, but I feel we've got the chance to go there and express ourselves and play without fear. They're a very good side, their league position tells you that they are clearly the best side in the league, but we'll go there looking to win the game as we always do."
Monday night sees Matlock visit Ashton United in the Evo-Stik League Challenge Cup semi final. Atkins says the competition has always been high on his agenda and Matlock will be going all out to earn a place in the final against either Northwich Victoria or Bradford Park Avenue.
"This game was always important and has the same importance had we not had those poor results recently in the league. It might appear that we've fallen out of play off contention but we'd still have been treating this game seriously if we'd been better off in the league. At the end of the day, there's a chance of getting to a cup final and then picking up some silverware. Ashton will make things difficult for us that's for sure, but we're more than capable of going there and winning the tie."
Atkins will be hoping that the hamstring injury that has kept top scorer Ross Hannah out of the last two games clears up in time for the weekend.
"He had a fitness test and wasn't close enough on Saturday but we've a full free week ahead of Halifax so hopefully we'll see some improvement. We'll assess him on Thursday at training to see how he responds to various situations and take it from there."
Former Chesterfield midfielder Gareth Davies could be doubtful for both games. After coming on as a 73rd minute substitute for Nathan Joynes against Whitby, Davies himself had to leave the field with a shoulder injury and left the ground afterwards with his arm strapped up.
Atkins does not foresee any additions to the Gladiators ranks ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline, but he did bring in defender Paul Sykes from Ossett Town last Friday.
"Paul's a big strong lad who I knew from my time at Stalybridge who's been around the non league scene at this level and the one above for a long time. He asked if he could come here for the rest of the season and really it was a no brainer, for he can play in a number of positions which will certainly help us. He just needs to get his full match fitness now, we weren't sure how he was, match fitness wise, that's why we didn't stick him in against Whitby. Hopefully we'll be able to get him in the squad on Saturday."
Recent acquisitions John McAliskey and Ryan Mallon are both cup tied for the semi final and Matlock will also be checking if Sykes has appeared in the competition earlier this season ahead of the trip to Hurst Cross.
Meanwhile Matlock's new Social Club opened last weekend and has received rave reviews. Atkins spoke for many fans as he expressed his delight at the club being full on a match day.
"It was fantastic to see it full afterwards on Saturday and to see people enjoying themselves even though we hadn't got the result we wanted in the game. It will be a big help in getting fans through the gate and it's a fantastic achievement. I can only say a huge well done to all those involved."
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