Thursday 16th February 2012
by IAN RICHARDSON

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.

The Gladiators slide down the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division table to a disappointing 13th has come about after a poor sequence of results which has seen them win only 1 of their last 10 league games. They currently have 35 points from their 28 games played and while the relegation haunted sides still appear to have much to do, Atkins wants any lingering doubts of being dragged into the drop zone quashed as soon as possible.

Now after a fortnight off, thanks to sub-zero temperatures which saw their trip to North Ferriby United and then last Saturday's home meeting with struggling Whitby Town postponed, Atkins will be hoping that the messages he has drilled into his players at training sessions will be taken in.

Matlock have two tough looking away trips in the next week, travelling to third placed Chorley on Saturday before the rearranged game at North Ferriby takes place on Tuesday night.

Atkins believes it's now time his players stood up to be counted. "Every game now is a cup final for us" he warned, "and we're not kidding ourselves that we're too good to become involved in a relegation battle. Recent results have shown that we're not a good side at present. Let's face it, we're not playing anywhere near good enough! I want us to get some points on board now, rather than later, we're all aware that we need to improve."

Suspensions and injuries have been a constant thorn in their side recently but striker Nathan Joynes apart, Atkins has just about a fully fit squad from which to select a line up that he hopes will earn better results.

Midfielders Gareth Davies and Kris Bowler and winger Chris Bettney have all trained well during the past fortnight and should be chomping at the bit to claim a shirt at the weekend.

"Healthy competition for places is what we need and are looking for and it's how things should be" Atkins added.

It's been a case of 'one in and one out' during the past week. Leaving the Reynolds Stadium is midfielder Harry Winter who in any case, was on a match to match arrangement at Matlock in a deal with Blue Square North leaders Hyde FC. Winter has joined Evo-Stik NPL First Division North table toppers AFC Fylde.

Atkins was pleased to finally capture 6'3" central defender Laurence Gaughan, a former youth international with the Republic of Ireland. International clearance for Gaughan came through late last week and he would have been included against Whitby had the game been on.

"Laurence has played at a very good level, being a pro at Liverpool as a youngster as well as being at Celtic" Atkins explained. "I'm delighted to sign him. Being 6'3", his height will be an obvious asset, but he's also very good on the ball. He can play in midfield as well so that increases our selection options.

"I'm not surprised about Harry really, we knew he was with us only on a match to match arrangement. Travelling from Manchester while not driving also made it difficult for him, so I can understand him moving to a club in the north west."

There is the opportunity for the Gladiators to complete their second and third league doubles of the campaign after convincing home victories over Chorley and Ferriby earlier in the season.

Chorley will probably be relieved to hear that Joynes will not be in the Town line up, for in the 4-0 Matlock win in October, Joynes grabbed a hat-trick with Bettney scoring the other.

"Nathan was on fire that day and it's a pity that things haven't worked out for him with the knee injury this season" said Atkins. "But he's booked in for his operation next week, and while it means he's out for the rest of the season, we look forward to him returning next season fully fit and raring to go as he'll be a very important player for us.

"The Chorley game was probably the best we've played this season and we'd love to go there and play equally as well. But Chorley have stayed up near the top and they're up there for a reason. They're obviously a very good side and we'll need to be fully switched on."

An Ian Holmes brace sandwiched a Liam King strike in the 3-0 win against North Ferriby ten days before the Chorley victory.

Lining up against the Gladiators should be forward Lee Morris whose brief second spell at Matlock ended last month when former Matlock skipper Billy Heath, now Manager at the Humberside club, signed him for a second time after previously having him under his wing at Frickley Athletic.

Atkins pursuit of fresh blood continues. He was thwarted when a seven day target joined another club, but he was hoping to speak to another player he had put seven days notice in on this week with a view to a signing.

RECENT STORIES

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GLADIATORS BOSS PUTS THE RECORD STRAIGHT -
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NEW BLOOD FOR GLADIATORS -
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GLADIATORS SECURE NEW PLAYERS -
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GLADIATORS LEARN TO ADAPT -
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GLADIATORS LOSE LUKIC -
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GLADIATORS HAVE A BLAST -
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GLADIATORS RECHARGE THEIR BATTERIES -
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GLADIATORS BATTLE ON -
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NEW SIGNING GIVES ATKINS SELECTION HEADACHE -
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MATLOCK'S HUNT FOR STRIKER GOES ON -
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GLADIATORS DRAW IN NEW BLOOD -
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FINDERS KEEPERS FOR GLADIATORS -
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MIDWEEK FIXTURES CHANGE FOR THE GLADIATORS -
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TRIALISTS MAKE THEIR MARK FOR GLADIATORS -
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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 -
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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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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 -
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 -
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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 -
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