Thursday 1st December 2011
by IAN RICHARDSON

"Never give up!" is the advice Matlock manager Mark Atkins (left) often imparts on his players. Those same words are perhaps apt as he finally secured two of his main transfer targets this week.

Six foot plus striker Danny Davidson finally signed on the dotted line for the Gladiators before last weekend's 1-0 home defeat to Blue Square North leaders Hyde and made his debut in the 2-1 reverse to Hednesford in midweek.

Then on Tuesday, Atkins brought in winger Craig Nelthorpe who also would have featured against Hednesford but for a slight hamstring problem.

Nelthorpe is expected to feature in Saturday's trip to Bradford Park Avenue. Matlock's squad is also strengthened by Lee Whittington's return from Belper, the striker having spent a few weeks at Christ Church Meadow to get some games under his belt.

The much travelled Davidson, who lists Crawley Town, Stafford Rangers, Nuneaton, Tamworth and Moor Green amongst his former clubs, had a loan spell with the Gladiators, scoring four times, towards the end of the 2008/09 season in a month when Atkins' side won their battle against relegation.

Then he was at Alfreton, but during that summer, opted for a move to Boston United. When the Pilgrims released him during the last close season, Atkins was in for him again, but again had to concede defeat as Worksop won the race to sign him. But things have not worked out for him at Sandy Lane, and it was a case of third time lucky for Atkins when the Tigers let him go a couple of weeks ago.

It is a similar scenario with Nelthorpe, who lists York City, Gateshead, Doncaster Rovers and Oxford United as former ports of call. Gainsborough Trinity deemed him surplus to requirements a fortnight ago and it seemed as if Atkins had got his man before Eastwood Town came in with an offer of Blue Square North football. But Nelthorpe could not settle at Coronation Park and decided to accept Matlock's offer.

"I think we've got two very good signings there" said Atkins. "Danny did very well for us on loan before and I'm sure he'll do equally as well again. He'll offer us something different in the striking department. I've been looking for a striker for a week or two now, especially as it seems Nathan Joynes might need a knee operation after his scan. I'm delighted Danny's here and equally pleased to have got Craig who again should be a good addition to our attacking options."

Matlock's squad has been paper thin in the last couple of weeks as injuries and suspensions have hit them hard. That continues at the Horsfall Stadium where Matlock take on their 'jinx' club.

Avenue have won the last seven games between the clubs, and Matlock's task does look more difficult as midfield anchor men Gareth Davies and Liam King are both serving one match bans. Davies though may have missed out in any event. A damaged hamstring suffered in the recent draw at Stafford partially cleared up for him to play two thirds of the Hyde tie, but he was forced to sit out Wednesday's game.

"Top scorer Ian Holmes again looks like being on the sidelines with a knee problem, as does Oscar Radford with his hamstring trouble. Ben Algar, with a groin injury, could also miss out but Matlock are hopeful that Micky Harcourt's hamstring will have healed sufficiently for him to be recalled.

Only one win in eight league games has seen Matlock fall off the pace in the race for a play off position, with the Gladiators in eighth spot, but they have had a tough run of games which have included second placed Northwich twice, a trip to new leaders Chester and Hednesford in third at home. Bradford lie in fifth spot in a tough and competitive division.

Atkins had no complaints at Wednesday's 2-1 defeat as Hednesford avenged an FA Trophy replay defeat by the same scoreline exactly three weeks earlier.

"It was a game I thought we could have got three points from but we didn't play well. We did alright in the first fifteen minutes, but after that we played far too many long balls. We were definitely off the pace. There wasn't enough creativity from the midfield and were off colour defensively also, so I've no complaints with the result." 

He was also unhappy with Lee Featherstone who was sent off for using foul and abusive language to referee Steven Meredith in the penalty incident which led to Hednesford's second goal.

"Lee can have no complaints, he will be fined, that will be that" was Atkin's terse comment. 

The Matlock chief had a great deal more sympathy for his players after Adam Griffin's injury time free kick edged Hyde through to a tie at Boston United in the next round of the FA Trophy.

"That was harsh on us. Given the circumstances of injuries beforehand and during the game, three lads really ought to have come off at half time, it was a fantastic performance against a very good Hyde side.

"We got the tactics spot on and the lads deserve real credit for the way they carried out instructions to the letter. If we'd been that bit more clinical with two or three good openings in the first half, then who knows, we might even have won it. But to lose the way we did was a sickener.

"You can't take anything away from the quality of the strike - but it was never a free kick, the referee's had a poor game and got the decision badly wrong. That decision cost us."

A fixture change on Saturday week sees Town travel to Stocksbridge instead of FC united of Manchester who are involved in the next round of the FA Trophy.

The Derbyshire Senior Cup tie at New Mills has been moved back a day from Monday 12th to Tuesday 13th December.

RECENT STORIES

"WE NEED TO STAND UP AND BE COUNTED" BOSS MARK ATKINS -
With exactly two thirds of their league programme done and dusted, Matlock Town's players have received a "could do better" assessment from Manager Mark Atkins. More...

GLADIATORS BOSS PUTS THE RECORD STRAIGHT -
Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins this week rubbished claims made by Buxton supporters that he had applied for the vacant manager's job at the Silverlands. More...

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 -
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...

"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 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