Thursday 10th November 2011
by IAN RICHARDSON

Mark Atkins (left) is turning out to be one of Matlock Town's most astute managers as his homework again paid off when he plotted the downfall of promotion rivals Hednesford Town in the FA Trophy this week.

The 2nd Qualifying Round draw gave the Gladiators the draw they probably didn't want as they had to travel to Keys Park, something of a fortress for the Pitmen who had not lost at home in the league for a year.

Only Corby Town had won there in an FA Cup tie and just four days before Matlock's visit, League One Walsall, containing many first team players, had been beaten 6-5 in a County Cup tie!

But Atkins has instilled battling qualities and organisation into his troops.

Matlock were well worth their scoreless draw in spite of playing the last twenty five minutes with just ten men after Kris Bowler's harsh second yellow card, and may have even won it at the first time of asking.

The 4-5-1 formation had again done it's job with Matlock this time using the ball better when they had possession.

For Wednesday's replay, Hednesford and the Matlock faithful were probably expecting Atkins to revert to the 4-4-2 shape which had comprehensively beaten Stocksbridge 4-0 in the league seven days earlier.

But Atkins showed he is very much his own man as he again went with just Ian Holmes as an out and out striker and kept a solid midfield five. And despite conceding their first goal for four hundred and thirty nine minutes which gave Hednesford the lead, Matlock bounced back as captain fantastic James Lukic and leading scorer Holmes scored to give them a 2-1 half time lead, which they subsequently held on to.

"I'm really pleased with the lads. They battled very, very hard and although they've not played that well tonight, they've kept on going and full credit to them for getting themselves and the club in to the next round" said Atkins.

"It's been a tough couple of games but as I said beforehand, it wasn't just a matter of one game last Saturday. We had a tie to get through and it didn't matter if it took two games to do that. Hednesford haven't created any really good chances, we defended well and we had to! Our hard work then gave us some chances late on when we could have sealed it.

"People have got to understand that it's my objective to win games, to get good results for this football club. We've got a very good one tonight and we've made progress in the FA Trophy and earned the club some money in the process."

Atkins says that Matlock, and particularly Kris Bowler (left), were very hard done to when Referee Carl Dunn accused him of simulation as he went down in the penalty box under challenge from full back Kyle Haynes in the 65th minute of the clash at Keys Park. Having booked Bowler in the first half for a foul, Dunn brandished the yellow card for a second time to send him for an early bath.

"That was a joke" said Atkins. "The referee's made a mistake and has had a poor game. I was right behind the incident and the full back's taken Kris' legs, so it's a stonewall penalty. It could have cost us. We could have gone 1-0 up and if we had, I reckon we'd have won it. Instead we're down to ten men and scratching about holding on. Kris definitely didn't deserve to be sent off."

Matlock now face Blue square North leaders Hyde FC at the Reynolds Stadium on November 26th.

"I know their Manager Gary Lowe really well. They like to pass it around and have done very well this season. I'll go and watch them, but for now, that's on the backburner for we've got a lot of important games before then."

That run of matches starts with a tasty home derby with Worksop Town on Saturday. The Tigers made a number of significant signings in the summer but a poor start saw them near the bottom of the table and Manager Martin McIntosh departed. Former Stamford boss Simon Clark took over about a month ago and Worksop are so far unbeaten under his tenure.

"I expected them to be one of the favourites to go up, considering the signings and the players they already had there" said Atkins. "But they made a surprisingly bad start - but since the new manager's come in, they've done really well and we know it'll be a very tough game. But if we play like I know we can, we're a match for anybody."

Atkins expects to name the same squad as on Wednesday for the weekend. "One or two have knocks but I expect them to recover" he confirmed.

Matlock are at home again on Wednesday night to Mickleover Sports in the 3rd round of the Doodson Sport League Cup.

Meanwhile Atkins has had talks with two strikers this week but neither will be coming to the Reynolds Stadium. Atkins would not go into detail but it is understood that although the players were keen to join Matlock, their personal and work commitments have influenced their decisions.

Midfielder James Knowles has been released and has joined Sheffield in the Evo-stik NPL First Division South. Better news though comes from Oscar Radford's loan from Doncaster Rovers being extended for another month.

"James came to me and said he was wanting more first team football. He hasn't featured that much this season. Sheffield had wanted him earlier in the season and we won't stand in anyone's way when they want regular football. I can fully understand where he's coming from. He's been a great lad, we thank him for his contribution and wish him all the best for the future.

"We're absolutely delighted to have got Oscar with us for a bit longer. He's done very well wherever in the back four he's played and I know it's a decision that will delight the fans just as much as it's delighted us."

RECENT STORIES

GLADIATORS UNDER PRESSURE FOR RESULTS -
Atkins' management credentials are currently being put to the test with the Gladiators' slide into the bottom half of the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division table. More...

NEW BLOOD FOR GLADIATORS -
The fresh blood promised by manager Mark Atkins might just be in the Matlock Town squad for Saturday's home clash with Ashton Utd. More...

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 -
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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 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-
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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 -
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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 -
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MIDWEEK FIXTURES CHANGE FOR THE GLADIATORS -
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TRIALISTS MAKE THEIR MARK FOR GLADIATORS -
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GLADIATOR'S SIGN EXPERIENCED DUO -
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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 -
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IS THE GLADIATOR'S BATTLE OVER? -
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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 -
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BATTLE AHEAD FOR THE GLADIATORS -
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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 -
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ATKINS SEEKS NEW BLOOD -
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MATLOCK TOWN SEEKS INVESTORS -
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ALL CHANGE FOR THE GLADIATORS -
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FLU HITS MATLOCK CAMP -
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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 -
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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 -
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MATLOCK GAFFER BLASTS REFEREE -
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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