Monday 23rd April 2012
by IAN RICHARDSON

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, thus extending the Gladiators winless sequence on the road in league fare to seventeen matches.

Matlock were certainly worth a point, but not all three from a poor quality game played on an uneven sloping surface.

Most of the visitors more dangerous moments came from long range strikes, but equally goalkeeper Jon Kennedy also had a quiet afternoon thanks to a solid defensive performance from the Gladiators who thankfully did not repeat the bad errors which had cost them against Whitby thirty six hours earlier.

Kris Witcombe was deservedly given a start at right back with Adam Yates moving into midfield as Gareth Davies had to be content with a place on the substitutes bench. Nathan Joynes partnered Ian Holmes in attack with Lewis McMahon ruled out having had seven stitches inserted in a facial wound after the Whitby game.

But there was a welcome inclusion in the list of substitutes as Dene Cropper (left) was named, and when he replaced Joynes in the 74th minute, he was given rapturous applause by the visiting fans. Under nineteen star Matt Wilkinson was also included on the bench.

Rushall, in their debut season at this level, and in ninth spot before kick off, immediately went on the attack but their distribution was often careless with too many passes being hoofed forward and overhit. They won a 7th minute corner from which Gary Fitzpatrick screwed a shot harmlessly wide after the flag kick had been headed out.

Ahmed Obeng looked lively for the hosts winning another corner in the 12th minute off Lukic but Obeng then slammed the delivery dangerously across the six yard box and out for a throw.

A promising Matlock break engineered by Joynes on 18 minutes came to nothing, when following his fine run, his cross directed towards Holmes was cut out by Lucan Spittle's excellent intercepting header.

Another flurry of Pics pressure ended with Obeng firing wildly wide seven minutes later and then on 33, a free kick floated in was out of the radar of both Neil Kitching and Fitzpatrick.

A gentle Liam King strike was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Chris Gemmell in the next minute before just another sixty seconds later, Matlock came closest to taking the lead as Yates unleashed a thunderbolt from twenty five yards. Gemmell moved swiftly to his right to punch away.

Ben Algar then found room in the home penalty box but over elaboration saw the opportunity disappear as quickly as it had been created.

Another wild effort from Obeng, a cross shot following a quickly taken free kick flew yards wide as the half ended with Laurence Gaughan heading clear a Fitzpatrick free kick.

HT: 0-0

The Pics increased the tempo after the interval and Yates produced a magnificent clearing header after Fitzpatrick had helped on a free kick.

Then on 52 minutes a terrific scramble in the six yard box ended with a calm Lukic clearing the danger.

Matlock survived a scare on 56 minuted when Witcombe and Featherstone joined forces to clear off the line from Brady.

The pressure eased and Kris Bowler tried his luck from distance, a well struck effort narrowly clearing the bar with Gemmell beaten. Then, for once, Holmes found space in the penalty box, but could only fire at Gemmell from twelve yards.

Cropper showed some neat touches when he came on and certainly posed a threat for the home defence.

Bowler had another strike which was deflected wide as Town looked comfortable but Kyle Brady forced in a low cross with the game entering its 90th minute to break the Gladiators hearts.

FT: 1-0

Manager Mark Atkins knows he has plenty of hard work ahead of him in the summer as the Gladiators finished in a disappointing fourteenth position, caused in the main by their failure to win more away games.  


MATLOCK TOWN:
Jon Kennedy, Kris Witcombe, Lee Featherstone, Liam King (Gareth Davies 74), Laurence Gaughan, James Lukic, Ben Algar, Kris Bowler, Ian Holmes, Nathan Joynes (Dene Cropper 74), Adam Yates.
Other subs: Paul Riley, Matt Wilkinson, Nick Buxton.

REFEREE: A Fox - Coventry

ATTENDANCE: 268

STAR MAN: James Lukic.  

RECENT STORIES

GLADIATORS UP STRIKE FORCE -
Matlock Town announced their second summer signing on Wednesday night, and again it was a striker. More...

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...

ATKINS BLASTS SLOPPY GLADIATORS-
'Sloppy' Matlock gifted Whitby three goals and a lifeline in their bid to beat the drop. 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