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Matlock Town FC News

"A Massive Win For Matlock" - Gladiators' Boss Mark Atkins


Friday 7th September 2012
by IAN RICHARDSON.



The 3-1 midweek victory against Frickley Athletic saw Matlock get off the mark at home this season after 5-0 and 3-0 defeats in their opening two Reynolds Stadium outings.

A Massive Win For Matlock - Gladiators' Boss Mark AtkinsManager Mark Atkins
(left) shared the relief of Gladiators fans in agreeing it was "a massive win" and praising the workrate of his team.

"It's always a battle against Frickley and on Tuesday, there were two teams out there struggling for form and results. I thought we defended very well over the ninety minutes, people were prepared to throw their bodies and block shots.

"The commitment of everyone couldn't be faulted. It was tough for us in the first half but then we pushed on in the second half and created far more chances, having far more of the ball. In the end we've scored three and deserved to win the game."

Their much publicised injury crisis forced the Gladiators chief to bring in three more players ahead of last weekend's narrow 1-0 loss at Stafford, a game where there were encouraging signs of better times on the way for Matlock, but disappointment that a series of missed chances plus a giveaway goal led to their downfall.

Winger Kane Richards, on loan from Derby County, earned man of the match rating at Stafford as the Gladiators dominated. Also making their debuts, but from the substitutes bench were striker Shaun Tuton from Teversal and midfielder Kevin (Danny) Deakin from Sheffield United as youth got it's chance.

"We've had a lot of players missing through injury and some lads have been left out (including experienced striker Lee Ellington, relegated to the bench against Frickley) as they've had five games to show me what they could do and clearly haven't played to the standard they're capable of and the standard we want."

Atkins continued. "So the new lads have come in and I thought young Danny Deakin was excellent against Frickley, working very hard and helping out the defence when we were under pressure. Kane Richards had a great game at Stafford but Frickley had checked up on him, and he was the subject of two or three flying tackles, and just couldn't get away from people, but he's a big asset for us with his pace and direction and can no doubt do a job for us through the middle as well."

Joe Leesley replaced Ellington on Tuesday and made a scoring return with Lewis McMahon netting the other two.

"Joe's not the finished article yet by any means, but he's a goal threat, and at 18 years old, there's a lot more to come from him" Atkins promised. "But on Tuesday, I thought our more experienced players like James Lukic, Adam Yates, Martin Foster and Jon Kennedy stood up to be counted. Look at Lewis McMahon, central midfield isn't his preferred position but he's played ever so well and got two goals."

Atkins and the fans will be united in the hope that the win, only Matlock's second of the season which gave them an early league double, will be the catalyst for more better results, starting on Saturday with a home FA Cup derby with Belper Town.

The Nailers could include as many as four ex Gladiators in midfielders Steve Warne, Colin Marrison, and Simon Harrison plus winger Ryan Mallon which should add extra spice.

Like Matlock, Belper have not had the start they wanted to their Evo-Stik NPL First Division South campaign. They have four points from five games and lie down in 17th, where Matlock stand in the Premier, a disappointing position given they were one of the favourites for promotion after a fantastic run in the second half of the 2011/12 term. They came from mid table obscurity only to miss out on a play off spot on the season's final day.

"It'll be a tough game, what with the old players coming back and by the fact it's a local derby, but it's a game we're looking forward to and hopefully we'll be strong enough to go through" said Atkins, who remains on the look out for fresh blood, even though some of his crocked squad could be back in action within two to three weeks.

"I'm looking at a couple of loan deals at present and I've got seven days notice in on a player which is up on Tuesday" he explained. "I doubt much will happen before Saturday as clubs are reluctant to do business while the FA Cup is in their thoughts, but we'll see."

If a replay is needed, it will be staged at Christ Church Meadow on Tuesday night (11th September).

 


 

 

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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...

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MORE TO COME -
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RARING TO GO -
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