Friday 20th April 2012
by IAN RICHARDSON

'Sloppy' Matlock gifted Whitby three goals and a lifeline in their bid to beat the drop.

Gladiators Boss Mark Atkins was furious afterwards, labelling the second half performance as "The worst 45 minutes by any team at this level" that he had seen. It was certainly a far cry from the battling spirit shown in the victory against FC United in their previous game and a dreadful way to end their home campaign.

Matlock's miserable night was compounded as Lewis McMahon was taken to hospital with a nasty facial wound and skipper James Lukic was sent off with nine minutes left after a melee in the Matlock half.

Whitby players had been held up by an accident on the A1M north of Wetherby, so their late arrival meant the game kicked off nineteen minutes late. But conversely, it was the Seasiders who settled by far the better as Matlock's defence looked shaky. Adam Yates, partnering Lukic in central defence can scarcely have had such a horrible performance in his 3 years at the club, while Lukic himself, normally the defensive king-pin, was well below par.

Jamie Clarke put Matlock firmly on the back foot with two goals in a
minute. In the 8th minute, Nathan Mulligan shrugged off Yates who pushed him to concede a penalty and the veteran Whitby number 9 confidently stroked the ball home as Jon Kennedy went the wrong way.

0-1

Then almost immediately, Yates failed to head clear and Clarke lifted a twenty yarder over Kennedy.

0-2

Whitby had never won at Matlock and they could not have wished for a better start.

The hosts needed a foothold - and got it on 17 minutes when Lewis McMahon stroked home after Ben Algar and Liam King had built the move with some neat play. This was the catalyst for Matlock's best spell of the game.

1-2

Goalkeeper David Campbell gathered a twenty yarder from Gareth Davies low to his left before King struck a superb leveller on the half hour. Algar linked with McMahon to find King on the left and the midfield dynamo flighted a marvellous effort over Campbell and into the far top corner of the net.

2-2

Only the woodwork prevented Ian Holmes from putting Matlock in front seven minutes later, as an error in the visiting defence saw him break clear and his lob came back off the bar with Ibrahim Hassan conceding a corner as McMahon closed in for the kill.

Campbell failed to hold an Algar strike, but Whitby reminded the Blues that they were still in the game when Clarke's glancing header bounced a yard wide of Kennedy's right hand upright.

It was all downhill for Matlock in the second half and the sloppiness returned within 15 seconds of the resumption as Whitby were again gifted a goal.

Kris Bowler lost the ball inside the Whitby half and nobody challenged Darren Williams in a forty yard run before the ball was fed to Mulligan who rifled a shot into the top left hand corner.

2-3

Kevin Burgess was booked for a high boot on McMahon which saw the Matlock number 10 helped off to be replaced by Nathan Joynes. Shortly afterwards a frustrated King was also yellow carded for dissent.

Matlock now looked toothless as Whitby had an easy time in defending their lead and it looked increasingly likely that the visitors would add to their lead. David McTiernan pulled a shot wide when well placed after Holmes had lost possession cheaply.

But respite for Matlock proved only to be brief for with 19 minutes to go, Whitby regained their two goal advantage and this time there would be no way
back for a Matlock side lacking passion.

Laurence Gaughan was booked for upending Jeff Smith. Mulligan curled the free kick precisely beyond the wall and beat Kennedy with ease.

2-4

Lukic saw red in a tussle with Clarke which developed into a melee which was more handbags than violence. Burgess though should really have joined him,
running 40 yards to become involved in something, which was nothing to do with him.

Campbell was finally called into action in the 88th minute to push away a low
daisycutter from Bowler.

FT: 2-4

Atkins admitted that Whitby were worthy winners, "We got off to a terrible start from two errors from Adam Yates, something we're not used to. That put us under the cosh, but then we played quite well, getting the two goals and could even have gone in front.

"But it was a terrible second half performance and I can't stick up for the players after that, There was no desire, no will to win, Whitby simply wanted it more and ended up deserving the three points.

"James Lukic didn't get sent off through anything done by Whitby's players, it was frustration with performances from our players.

"What tonight has shown me is that we're lacking quite a bit in a lot of departments and not just football wise. The team we fielded tonight was more than capable of winning the game and it's disappointing for the players should be proving to me they want to be here next season.

"We wanted a good end to the season after The FC United win but they let the club, the fans, Nick Buxton, Mick Cunningham and me down and most of all, they let themselves down."

MATLOCK TOWN:
Jon Kennedy, Adam Yates, Paul Riley, Liam King, Laurence Gaughan (Kris Witcombe 73), James Lukic, Ben Algar, Kris Bowler, Ian Holmes, Lewis McMahon (Nathan Joynes 52), Gareth Davies.

Other subs: Lee Featherstone, Nick Buxton.

REFEREE: D Gratton-Stone

ATTENDANCE: 171

STAR MAN: Liam King.

RECENT STORIES

GLADIATORS' KING ABDICATES -
Mr Consistency of the Matlock Town midfield, Liam King, has shocked the Gladiators faithful in moving on from the Reynolds Stadium. More...

TUESDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL RETURNS FOR MATLOCK -
Tuesday night will be football night once again in Matlock next season. More...

"TOUGH SEASON AHEAD" - ATKINS -
Mark Atkins says the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division "will be as tough as ever" after the Football Association announced the constitution of the various senior non league divisions on Friday. More...

GLADIATORS GET FRIENDLY THROUGH PRE-SEASON -
The usual busy pre season friendly programme awaits Matlock Town's playing staff when they return after the summer break on June 28th. More...

GLADIATORS' SEARCH FOR A STRIKER BEGINS -
Striker Ian Holmes' 2nd spell with Matlock Town has come to an end after just one season. More...

GLADIATORS PICK UP AWARDS -
Matlock manager Mark Atkins missed the club's presentation evening, but this week paid tribute to the award winners. More...

GLADIATORS BOSS DISAPPOINTED AT SEASON CLOSE -
2011/2012 was a season of underachievement for Matlock Town who finished in fourteenth position. A look at the statistics explains why! More...

MATLOCK DENIED HARD EARNED POINT -
A last gasp winner from Kyle Brady denied the Gladiators a hard earned point at Dales Lane in the final game of the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division season More...

MATLOCK 2, FC UTD OF MANCHESTER 1. MATCH REPORT -
Ian Holmes and Liam King scored the goals as Matlock won a great game played in front of their highest crowd of the season. More...

BUMPER CROWDS FOR GLADIATORS -
Matlock Town could well have their biggest gate of the season on Saturday with the visit of FC United of Manchester. More...

BUXTON 2, MATLOCK 1, MATCH REPORT -
Substitute Michael Towey's 89th minute winner was a kick in the teeth for Matlock whose much improved away performance deserved at least a share of the spoils. More...

GLADIATORS WORK HARD TO MAKE A POINT -
James Lukic's 88th minute equaliser earned the Gladiators a point against Marine when a goal for the hosts looked unlikely, despite playing against ten men. More...

GLADIATORS HAVE POINTS TO PROVE -
Matlock Boss Mark Atkins isn't too concerned with who the Gladiators have to face in their final 5 league games of the season, more on how his side performs. More...

TIRED GLADIATORS BEATEN BY BEESON BRACE -
Lee Beeson struck both goals to easily beat a lethargic Matlock who looked as if the end of the season could not come quickly enough.
More...

GLADIATORS BATTLE AGAINST INJURIES -
With 5 Injuries to key players, it's not ideal preparation for Matlock's toughest home test of the season when champions elect Chester visit on Saturday. More...

SUB WILKIN'S SPURS GLADIATORS TO VICTORY -
Half time substitute Liam Wilkin provided the spark to unlock the Burscough defence for Matlock's 3rd successive home win and 2nd league double of the campaign. More...

CAN THE GLADIATORS MAKE IT 3 IN A ROW? -
Wins in their last two home games have made for a brighter outlook at the Reynolds Stadium. More...

GLADIATORS TO KICK ON WITH SEASON -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins wants his side to put some real daylight between themselves and the relegation haunted clubs back to back with home games More...

FREE WEEKEND FOR THE GLADIATORS -
The fixture list has probably done Matlock no favours, as a blank weekend after the fine 2nd half showing against FC United means waiting another 7 days to try and build on that display. More...

GLADIATORS NEED A GOOD GOME RUN -
Boss Mark Atkins will be looking for his side to put together a run of wins at home, given their below par away record this season. More...

"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...

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' 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