Thursday 28th October 2011
by IAN RICHARDSON

Matlock Town could have a complete back four on the sidelines this weekend as they travel to league leaders Northwich Victoria.

Just two weeks ago, Andy Preece's men inflicted a 2-0 home defeat on the Gladiators in a game when Matlock Boss Mark Atkins was critical of his players saying four or five of them "weren't at the races."

"You can't afford that against a side of the quality of Northwich" said Atkins after the match. Clearly he will be hoping that his players have took on board the lessons learned from that first match so as to avoid the Vics inflicting a league double over them and a third successive league defeat.

"Northwich are a good side, probably the best we've faced so far this season. It's going to be a difficult game but we now know the way they play. We never competed in the first game, so this time we'll be looking to show people we can compete and it's an opportunity for us to show that we're a good side ourselves."

The complete defence which faced Chasetown in their opening home game of the season looks like being missing at the Victoria Stadium.

Right back Micky Harcourt is serving a one match ban after his two yellow cards against the Vics in the first meeting. Left back Lee Featherstone picked up a groin injury against Stamford last weekend and is rated extremely doubtful. Captain James Lukic is still struggling with a knee ligament injury and is set to miss out again while Simon Sturdy has a long standing back problem.

Adam Yates and Oscar Radford seem likely to continue in central defence while Kris Witcombe could get a rare start at right back with Ben Algar filling Featherstone's boots on the left.

Atkins was pleased with the 3-0 home FA Trophy victory against a Stamford side lying third in Evo-Stik NPL First Division South. Matlock cruised into the next round thanks to three fantastic goals as Ben Hunter in his first start, Algar and Radford found the target. Stamford contributed partly to their own downfall by having strikers Gary King and Sam Mullarkey sent off.

"It was a very good performance and I was very pleased with us defensively" said Atkins, "We were never in any trouble and once the first goal went in we were comfortable. The sendings off helped us but we played with two wingers who both did very well and scored two fine goals. They put in some quality balls."

The Town chief was also full of praise for on loan Doncaster Rovers defender Oscar Radford who capped a man of the match display with a ferocious blockbuster for the Gladiators' third goal.

"Oscar's done great and it's good for us that he can play at both centre half and left back for it increases our options defensively. He's proved to be a very good signing and we were all delighted for him when he scored that fantastic goal as he deserved it for his overall performance."

The return of Steve Warne proved to be a welcome boost after the midfielder had spent the last five weeks on loan at Belper Town. He was given an instant recall and was named as skipper.

"Steve gave us that energy and drive that I think we've probably been missing recently" Atkins concluded. "The spell on loan at Belper has obviously done him a lot of good and he'll hopefully now go from strength to strength."

Leaving Matlock on a temporary basis is experienced central defender Mark Haran who has joined Ossett Town in a bid to regain full fitness after a career threatening knee injury he picked up twelve months ago. If his knee holds up to playing competitive games for the Yorkshire side, a recall could well be on the cards at Matlock.

Matlock's reward for beating Stamford is a tough trip to Hednesford Town, who like the Gladiators, have previously won the FA Trophy. Matlock lifted the cup with a record breaking 4-0 win at Wembley against Scarborough in 1975, while the Pitmen's success came at Villa Park in 2004.

"It'll be tough, but we played there and got a point and we've seen them a couple of times. There's nothing you can do about the draw, you've got to knuckle down and get on with it. we'll go there fancying our chances of getting through" said Atkins.

Matlock had better fortune when the draw for the 3rd Round of the Doodson Sport Evo-Stik Challenge Cup was made last week. Mickleover Sports will visit the Reynolds Stadium on Wednesday November 16th. The next home game though is against Stocksbridge park Steels on Wednesday night (2nd November).

RECENT STORIES

ATKINS RUBBISHES TRANSFER RUMOURS -
Matlock head to Kendal on Saturday with the criticism of manager Mark Atkins ringing in their ears. More...

"WE NEED A WIN!", GLADIATORS' BOSS MARK ATKINS -
Atkins seems to be losing patience and is ready to make the changes needed to stop a Matlock slump that's seen them go 8 games without victory More...

GLADIATORS BATTLING FOR A WIN THIS WEEKEND -
Draw specialists Matlock hope to finally secure the 2 extra points against Rushall Olympic in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division. More...

TWO MORE INJURY HEADACHES FOR REDS BOSS ATKINS -
The treatment room at the Reynolds Stadium continues to fill up as 2 more Gladiators join the injury list More...

GLADIATORS SECURE NEW PLAYERS -
"Never give up!" is the advice Matlock manager Mark Atkins often imparts on his players. Those same words are perhaps apt as he finally secured two of his main transfer targets this week. More...

"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 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 RECHARGE THEIR BATTERIES -
A free week - just what Matlock Town wanted after a busy opening month which has seen them play almost a quarter of their league fixtures plus the FA Cup. 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