Wednesday 21st September 2011
by IAN RICHARDSON

A free week was just what Matlock Town wanted after a busy opening month of the campaign which has seen them play almost a quarter of their Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division fixtures plus make progress in the FA Cup.

The Gladiators comfortably saw off the stubborn challenge of Evo-Stik NPL First Division South Hucknall Town by a 2-0 margin at the Reynolds Stadium, to give them the bonus of a midweek break, plus a home tie in the next stage, against Blue Square North Hinckley United.

"It'll give the lads the chance to recharge their batteries, one or two looked as if they were feeling the pace in recent games" Atkins explained. "We won't be training until Thursday and then we'll be concentrating on our match at Whitby on Saturday and then the North Ferriby game at home on Wednesday."

Goals from Ben Algar (left0 on 52 minutes and leading scorer Ian Holmes with two minutes left secured Matlock's safe passage through what could have been a potential banana skin against Hucknall who have gone amateur as they seek to clear off a tax debt.

And Algar's goal was a bit special, having a touch of the Ryan Giggs about it as he ran from just inside the Hucknall half, beating a series of challeges before firing calmly past James Lindley in the Hucknall goal from the edge of the box. it was a fine individual effort.

"Ben had the opportunity to do that in the first half but crossed" said Manager Mark Atkins who is delighted with the former Chesterfield winger's contribution in recent weeks.

"We spoke about it at half time and encouraged him to have a go at them which he did. It was a fantastic goal and we're all really pleased for the lad as he's played very well in recent matches."

Algar was forced to miss the first four matches of the season as he awaited international clearance to come through after his spell in New York during the spring and summer. He has slotted in comfortably at full back and has delivered a series of outstanding crosses and has also defended with purpose.

The cup win could be counted as unspectacular against an unambitious Hucknall side.

"It's always more difficult when a team comes for a blatant 0-0 and sits back" Atkins (left) added. "We played well with the ball but probably lacked a little something in the final third. We were always on top and never in any trouble. The first goal made them come out and play a little bit. We were fortunate when they hit the bar, which came from sloppy defending on our part. But all in all we were very comfortable and should have won by more."

That last comment is a pertinent one as Matlock have failed to score more than twice in any competitive game so far this term.

"We've done okay but not scored as many goals as I would have liked" declared the boss. "But losing someone like Ross (Hannah) is bound to have its effect as strikers who score fifty plus goals in a season don't grow on trees, especially within our budget. I feel we've played better football than last season and we've probably had five or six good opportunities in most games. With a bit of luck in one game the goals will go in."

Whitby currently lie in 19th spot with just one league win so far, but Atkins is aware that their Turnbull Ground can be a difficult place to win at, plus he looked back to Matlock's visit to Skelmersdale to take on bottom markers Burscough at the start of this month,

"Whitby always make it tough for you, it's not an easy place to go to" he warned. "They might not have had the best of starts but remember also the match against Burscough when most people expected us to go there and win. We had to come from behind in what was a difficult game before winning. Teams in this division don't lie down and die. I think it's an even more competitive league this season. You really have to be on top of your game to get full points from anywhere."

Matlock will be looking to return to winning ways in league action after victory in the cup, for games against Stafford Rangers, Bradford Park Avenue and Hednesford Town since the win against Burscough have yielded just two points.

But Matlock lie in ninth spot and wins against Whitby and North Ferriby would not only strengthen their league standing, but put them in good heart to face mid table Hinckley, who Atkins watched go down 2-0 at Boston in midweek, next weekend.

The Gladiators have loaned out a clutch of players to enhance their match fitness, the most notable being popular midfielder Steve Warne, who is with Belper Town for a month.

The temporary deal was done last Friday in time for Warne to play in the Nailers 2-0 defeat at Sutton Coldfield Town last weekend.

Explaining the decision that has surprised a number of fans, Atkins said, "Steve's not been in the starting eleven much and when he did start against Burscough, he wasn't really up to speed. He needs a few games and hopefully he'll get those at Belper. From a financial perspective, we can't afford to have a contract player sat on the bench a lot. It's just for a month and the idea is that he'll come back raring to go to get his place back in the starting line up."

Nathan Joynes has just had a fortnight at Ossett Town and is currently on holiday. Kris Witcombe is getting valuable game time at Teversal with Ben Hunter doing likewise at Rossington. Simon Sturdy played for Pickering after his recent back injury, but the complaint has flared up again and he is back on the sidelines.

RECENT STORIES

"THE BEST LAID PLANS..." -
Matlock collected another 4 injuries at Stafford midweek, on top of the 2 they picked up in the 4-0 defeat at Chester 3 days earlier, More...

GLADIATORS UP FOR THE BATTLE AHEAD -
Mark Atkins is turning out to be one of Matlock Town's most astute managers as his homework again paid off, plotting the downfall of Hednesford Town in the FA Trophy. More...

GLADIATORS LEARN TO ADAPT -
Adaptability is the name of the game for Matlock boss Mark Atkins who adopted "a horses for courses" approach to team and tactics in the last 2 games. More...

GLADIATORS' BACK LINE ON SIDE LINE? -
Matlock Town could have a complete back four on the sidelines this weekend as they travel to league leaders Northwich Victoria. More...

GLADIATORS LOSE LUKIC -
Mark Atkins says that James Lukic has been comfortably Matlock's best player this season and losing him for 2 to 3 weeks is a "massive blow." More...

GLADIATORS HAVE A BLAST -
Few people would have guessed that Matlock boss Mark Atkins would be blasting his players 3 days after demolishing the visiting league leaders Chorley More...

BATTLE WITH LEAGUE LEADERS LOOMS -
The league leaders come to town on Saturday and Matlock manager Mark Atkins wants his side to repeat last weekend's performance More...

GLADIATORS PUNCH ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT-
"Remember what happened last year when we played a Blue Square North side", the message from Reds Boss Mark Atkins More...

GLADIATORS BATTLE ON DESPITE INJURY -
The 2-1 win against Mickleover Sports on Monday which extended Matlock Town's unbeaten run to 5 games might come at a cost. More...

GLADIATORS BATTLE ON -
According to boss Mark Atkins, 2 wins and 2 clean sheets has done much to right the wrongs of Matlock Town's first 2 games. More...

NEW SIGNING GIVES ATKINS SELECTION HEADACHE -
Striker Tyeisse Nightingale has signed for Matlock Town and now Gladiators boss Mark Atkins feels he has competition throughout his squad. More...

MATLOCK'S HUNT FOR STRIKER GOES ON -
The Gladiators' search for another striker goes on but new recruit Lee Whittington does his chances of a starting place no harm whatsoever with 4 goals in pre season. More...

GLADIATORS DRAW IN NEW BLOOD -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins swooped quickly to replace his departing goalkeeper Adam Sollitt with Worksop Town's Jon Kennedy More...

FINDERS KEEPERS FOR GLADIATORS -
The shock departure of first choice goalkeeper Adam Sollitt means a new goalkeeper is top of Matlock Manager Atkins' shopping list More...

BATTLE LINES DRAWN. 2011-12 FIXTURES -
A visit to League Cup winners Ashton United on Saturday August 13th is Matlock Town's season opener in the 2011/2012 season after the fixture list was released this week. More...

MIDWEEK FIXTURES CHANGE FOR THE GLADIATORS -
There's a change of midweek home night for Matlock Town this season as the Gladiators switch from Tuesday to Wednesday. More...

TRIALISTS MAKE THEIR MARK FOR GLADIATORS -
A clutch of trialists will have the chance to stake their claim with Mark Atkins' Gladiators when the Blues return for pre season training More...

GLADIATOR'S SIGN EXPERIENCED DUO -
Manager Mark Atkins reckons he's found experience that was lacking after agreeing deals with Chris Bettney and Simon Sturdy. More...

TWO NEW FACES FOR GLADIATORS -
Matlock Town's first two signings of the summer are a former fan's favourite and an up and coming utility player. More...

DUE TO RETURN TO THE GLADIATORS ARENA NEXT SEASON-
2 of Matlock Town's brightest young stars have signed new 1-year contracts ahead of the new campaign. More...

GLADIATORS BOSS PRAISES BUXTON -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins this week paid tribute to his number two Nick Buxton for his contribution both on and off the field. More...

MATLOCK TOWN'S HANNAH JOINS BRADFORD CITY -
Ross Hannah finally got his wish of a career in the Football League when he joined League Two outfit Bradford City. More...

PRAISE FOR GLADIATORS' YOUNG STAR -
2011 has seen the emergence of a bright young talent at the Reynolds Stadium as 18 year old full back Ben Turner has stepped up to the plate. More...

HANNAH STRIKES GOLD -
Ross Hannah has surely hit legendary status at Matlock Town as his hat trick in Easter Monday's final league game this term saw him shatter the club record of 49 goals in a season. More...

STAY OF EXECUTION FOR THE GLADIATORS-
Boss Mark Atkins admitted it was "a huge relief" to beat Nantwich Town and end their sequence without a league win More...

NEW FACILITIES FOR GLADIATORS -
Success for Evo-Stik League Premier Division outfit Matlock Town hasn't come on the field this season, but off it. More...

IS THE GLADIATOR'S BATTLE OVER? -
Manager Mark Atkins has conceded that his side's hopes of reaching the play offs are all but over. More...

NOW OR NEVER FOR GLADIATORS -
Monday night's 1-0 Evo-Stik League Challenge Cup semi final defeat at Ashton United gives the Gladiators just the play offs to aim for. More...

FIGHT GOES ON FOR GLADIATORS -
Their play off hopes may be fading but Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins insists that the fight goes on. More...

BATTLE AHEAD FOR THE GLADIATORS -
Make no bones about it, Matlock need to beat Whitby Town in Saturday's lunchtime kick off (1pm) at the Reynolds Stadium. More...

NEW BLOOD FOR THE GLADIATORS -
Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins has fulfilled his promise to strengthen his Gladiators squad More...

GLADIATORS BATTLE TO HANG ON TO HANNAH -
Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins says that claims from Torquay that the Gulls had signed Gladiators star striker are "premature to say the very least." More...

AND THE WINNER IS... -
A brace of awards have come Matlock Town's way for boss Mark Atkins and the Gladiators new stand being acclaimed as the best new stand of 2011... More...

GLADIATORS FIGHT TO THE FINISH -
A perfect February has given Matlock Town an excellent chance of making the end of season play offs but boss Mark Atkins is taking nothing for granted. More...

ATKINS PLEASED AFTER WEEKEND WIN -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins reckons the 4-0 win at Retford United was a massive result for his side in more ways than one. More...

ATKINS SEEKS NEW BLOOD -
A busy Mark Atkins is trying to strengthen Matlock's squad ahead of a run of 18 league games and at least one, hopefully more, League Cup tie to play before the season's end. More...

MATLOCK TOWN SEEKS INVESTORS -
"A few thousand pounds could make a real difference to the club". That's the message from Matlock Town Football Club. More...

ALL CHANGE FOR THE GLADIATORS -
Fans shouldn't be surprised to see a couple of changes to the Matlock Town team that takes on Marine at the Reynolds Stadium on Saturday More...

KEEP IT UP -
Having won four out of their last five league matches, Mark Atkins' Matlock Town now find themselves up in third spot, More...

FLU HITS MATLOCK CAMP -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins rose from his sick bed on Monday to orchestrate a vital home win against Burscough, and then was back in it straight after the match. More...

ATKINS, "2010 HAS BEEN A GOOD YEAR" -
...but the Gladiators' fate in 2011 could be decided on how they cope with fixture congestion in what is expected to be a crowded end to the campaign. More...

PROVERBIAL 'SIX POINTER' -
Matlock Town v Buxton on Christmas Monday at the Reynolds Stadium looks to be the proverbial six pointer as the local rivals seek a play off spot More...

GLADIATORS BATTLE ARCTIC CONDITIONS -
Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins fears that his side could face a big fixture backlog as the arctic conditions bit into the Evo-Stik League fixture programme this week. More...

BACK TO WINNING WAYS -
Manager Mark Atkins was pleased and relieved that defensive errors failed to rear up again as Matlock recorded two 3-0 home wins inside a week More...

GLADIATORS
FIGHT ON -
Without a win in five games, Matlock Town will be desperate to grab maximum points against second placed Colwyn Bay on Saturday. More...

ATKINS: GIVING CHEAP GOALS AWAY MUST STOP -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins says his side must stop giving cheap goals away after their second 2-1 home defeat in four days. More...

MILESTONE APPEARANCE FOR GLADIATORS PLAYER -
There's two very good reasons why Matlock Town will want Saturday's visitors Hucknall Town to feel the backlash More...

GLADIATORS FIGHT BACK AFTER 1st AWAY DEFEAT OF THE SEASON -
Mark Atkins will be looking for his Matlock side to bounce back quickly and positively from their first away defeat of the season against Worksop More...

YOU CAN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN -
They say you can't keep a good man down... Matlock striker Ross Hannah has certainly proved the point this last week. More...

NEW STAND IN ACTION AT MATLOCK -
It's taken 10 years and a mammoth fundraising effort - but Matlock Town Football Club's new 300-seater stand is now providing a welcome home for supporters. More...

MATLOCK GAFFER BLASTS REFEREE -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins laid the blame for his side's second defeat of the season firmly at the door of Mansfield referee Mark Jones. More...

WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF? -
Matlock will travel to the Bill Stokeld Stadium hoping history repeats itself this weekend as they take on Evo Stik League first Divison South Carlton Town in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. More...

TOP OF THE LEAGUE - Two wins in forty-eight hours placed Matlock Town on top of the league as they embark on their latest FA Cup adventure on Saturday at home to fellow Evo-Stik Premiership side Worksop Town. More...

NO EXCUSES -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins offered no excuses after a disappointing Bank Holiday return of just one point out of six. More...

MORE TO COME -
"I feel there's more to come from us." declared Matlock boss Mark Atkins after his side strengthened their Evo Stik League Premier Division campaign with a 3-0 win against Burcough. More...

RARING TO GO -
"The lads are raring to go" was the message from Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins after a long pre season programme of seven weeks and nine matches. More...

Related Links

Matlock Town Website