Friday 22nd August 2014
by Ian Richardson

"Not good enough!" was the painful verdict of Matlock manager Mark Atkins after the opening two matches of the new campaign yielded just a solitary point, no goals from open play and a place in the bottom four of the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division.

His team brought home a point from Saturday's drab curtain raiser at Trafford which saw precious few openings for either side, but the defeat to Stamford at the Autoworld Arena would have alarm bells ringing for Atkins (left), and the Gladiators followers.

A Danny Holland penalty put Matlock into a 3rd minute lead, but that great start could not be built upon as for the final seventy minutes, the visitors outplayed them to come from behind and deservedly go home with maximum points from a 2-1 victory.

"Those two performances were not up to standard. We were defensively strong at Trafford, had two or three chances which we didn't take, overall 0-0 was fair. But we simply had too many players off form against Stamford, they didn't give their full effort and didn't show the determination which was required.

"There's only Joe Leesley and Josh Meade, two young lads, of the outfield players that can come out of the game with any credit. Everyone else wasn't good enough, Stamford outnumbered and outfought us in the vital areas, they wanted it more and that shouldn't happen" said a clearly upset Atkins.

There was an emphatic hint from the boss that changes would be made for Saturday's visit of Blyth Spartans and Monday's derby trip to Belper.

"Things have got to change quickly and while it's the second game of the season and not the end of the world, we must improve and I'll be looking at Thursday's training and thinking long and hard between now and the weekend as to who can come in. There's eight places to play for on Saturday."

Even a change of tactics failed to have the desired effect on Tuesday, with a change from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 for the second half.

"We set up in a 4-4-2 to try and attack and got a great start with the penalty but really, we had nothing going forward and Stamford passed it around us, they had three or four first half chances and we could have been comfortably behind. We changed things to try and stop them playing but still we couldn't get the better of them and we lost through two defensive mistakes." Atkins continued.

Stamford appeared to be physically stronger than Matlock but Atkins resounded, "We've at least six six footers so the strength should be there - but sometimes, it's not just about physical strength. It can be more about the desire you have and the ability to use it to the greatest potential."

Atkins admits Matlock are "Light up front! We seem to be creating half chances at the moment, we've worked at our attacking play in training for the past three weeks but we're not bringing that into the games at present."

A tough Bank Holiday programme is on the cards.

"Blyth are a good strong side and although they got beat on Tuesday, they'll be very tough to play against as usual. Then for me, Belper's our toughest game of the season and we've got to show a lot more fight and determination down there."

Before last weekend, Atkins signed midfielder Jason Snodin, for a second time and also brought in young striker Sam Robinson, formerly of Farsley who has more recently been with Stalybridge Celtic, to take his close season signings tally to eleven.

On the injury front Phil Roe is likely to be missing for another fortnight with a foot problem but James Ashmore, who has not figured at all during the pre season programme, will train on Thursday but is unlikely to figure in either of the Blyth or Belper clashes.

RECENT STORIES

MATLOCK MISERY CONTINUES WITH 3 POINTS LOST AT GRANTHAM -
The first game of the post Mark Atkins era had both positives and negatives for interim bosses Dave Rushbury and Martin Foster, plus the Gladiators' followers. More...

MATLOCK MANAGER ATKINS RESIGNS FOLLOWING HEAVY HOME DEFEAT -
Saturday's crucial 4-0 home humbling by relegation rivals Halesowen Town proved to be the straw which broke Mark Atkins back, as the Matlock Town manager immediately resigned after the match.
More...

MATLOCK GO JOINT BOTTOM FOLLOWING HOME DEFEAT BY WHITBY TOWN -
Dale Hopson's 32nd minute strike condemned Matlock to a joint bottom spot and another miserable day in a season which just does not seem to get any better. More...

MONDAY'S FRIENDLY PROVES USEFUL FOR MATLOCK'S FRINGE PLAYERS -
Following Saturdays 3-1 League defeat away to Nantwich, Matlock's Monday night friendly win against Rossington Main proved to be useful for Matlock as boss Mark Atkins gave several fringe players a run out in what turned out to be a well contested affair.
More...

MATLOCK NEWS AS ONE OF ATKINS' THREE TRANSFER TARGETS ARRIVES -
Matlock Manager Mark Atkins got one of his three targets this week as Jamie Yates arrived from North Ferriby United on a month's loan. More...

MATLOCK TOWN
NEWS ROUND UP -
2 SOLID DRAWS BUT
0 SIGNINGS -
Matlock Town manager Mark Atkins was visibly much happier than seven days ago after two battling, much improved displays from his team - although he is equally frustrated as new signings fail to materialise. More...

IN-FORM STOKES INSPIRES MATLOCK TO VICTORY OVER BARWELL -
Both teams were without a win going into Friday night's clash at a wet Autoworld Arena but Matlock had in-form - and once again, Man of the Match - Jason Stokes on top form to inspire them to victory. More...

GLADIATORS EARN DESERVED BANK HOLIDAY POINT AT BELPER -
Matlock's Man of the Match Jason Stokes scored a last gasp equaliser to add to Danny Holland's second headed goal of the local derby to earn Matlock a deserved point More...

A 'DISAPPOINTING' LOSS FOR MATLOCK'S FIRST HOME GAME OF THE SEASON -
On the evidence of Tuesday night's first home game, it could be a long season for Matlock Town. More...

GLADIATORS BATTLE THROUGH A 'DRAB DRAW' FOR THEIR SEASON OPENER -
Matlock will take the positives from this drab opening day encounter at Shawe View which unsurprisingly, finished goalless. More...

TOUGH DECISIONS FOR MATLOCK BOSS AHEAD OF SEASON OPENER -
Nine definite new signings with one more to come, possibly two, means that manager Mark Atkins has some tough decisions to make ahead of this Saturday's league opener at Trafford. More...

MATLOCK NEWS AHEAD OF FINAL
PRE-SEASON GAME OF THE SUMMER -
Matlock Town visit Sheffield FC in their final pre season outing on Saturday 9th August with boss Mark Atkins pledging that places are still up for grabs in the side to face Trafford in the season's curtain raiser on August 16th. More...

MATLOCK NEWS ROUND UP AS INJURY CRISIS GETS WORSE -
An injury crisis is hampering Matlock Town's pre season with no fewer than six first choice players hurt. More...

LEICESTER'S YOUNG GUNS TOO STRONG FOR WEAKENED GLADIATORS -
The young guns of Premiership new boys Leicester City were too strong for a youthful injury hit Gladiators line up, although the Foxes final two strikes were delayed until the dying embers of the contest. More...

MATLOCK MAKE IT FIVE PRE-SEASON WINS IN A ROW -
The Gladiators made it five successive pre-season wins with a 3-1 win in the searing heat of Worksop's Sandy Lane, after an impressive display of passing football. More...

MATLOCK NOTCH UP
A PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY WIN OVER MANSFIELD -
Corey Gregory's 13th minute header won the game for Matlock, who after looking like hitting a cricket score, increasingly lost their way as the game wore on. More...

MATLOCK GET A DESERVED WIN VS GRIMSBY, PLUS FULL FIXTURES LIST -
Amongst the Gladiators pre-season build up, they put together a promising performance at the weekend as they deservedly beat Grimsby Town, who were beaten play off semi-finalists in the Conference National last term. More...

GLADIATORS BOSS ADMITS STRIKER'S DEPARTURE IS "A HUGE BLOW" -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins admitted that striker Shaun Tuton's departure up the A6 to divisional rivals Buxton was a huge blow. More...

GLADIATORS HIT A SIX IN A PRE-SEASON GAMES BONANZA -
Mark Atkins' desire for more home pre season friendlies has been satisfied to the full as the Gladiators announced their sixth warm up game at the Autoworld Arena. More...

MATLOCK TOWN GET RAMS, OWLS & FOXES VISITS AS WORKSOP TOWN RESIGN -
Matlock Town's pre season programme took shape further this week and it's another prestige home friendly for the Gladiators, as Derby County announced they would be visiting the Autoworld Arena More...

MATLOCK EARN A LAST MINUTE POINT AGAINST BUXTON. MATCH REPORT -
Oscar Radford's 89th minute equaliser, his first goal of the season, earned Matlock a deserved point against ten man Buxton. More...

MATLOCK'S MISSED OPPORTUNITY AS THEY DRAW AT NANTWICH TOWN -
Matlock should really have brought all three points back from the Weaver Stadium on Saturday after dominating the opening half More...

THREE RED CARDS AS MATLOCK EARN THEIR FIRST WIN IN NINE GAMES -
A goal in each half secured Matlock's first win in nine league matches, but the big talking point was a triple sending off incident seven minutes before the break. More...

MATLOCK NEWS ROUND UP AND WHITBY PREVIEW -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins and indeed - the club's fans - wanted a positive reaction from the players in the derby at Buxton on Wednesday night and my word, they got one! More...

A WELL DESERVED POINT FOR MATLOCK AFTER A 'FEISTY' DERBY AT BUXTON -
Martin Foster's penalty at the death, earned Matlock a well deserved point in a feisty derby at the Silverlands, after substitute Mark Reed had headed Buxton in front in the 84th minute. More...

GLADIATORS SURRENDER TO A BATTLING WITTON ALBION -
This was probably Matlock's worst home performance all season as they succumbed to a Witton side battling to avoid relegation. More...

MATLOCK SETTLE
FOR A POINT AFTER LIVELY BATTLE WITH BLYTH -
The Gladiators had to settle for a point in a feisty clash at the Autoworld Arena on Tuesday night which saw eight yellow cards and a Blyth equalizer six minutes from the end. More...

MATLOCK SUFFER NARROW DEFEAT AFTER BATTLING FC UNITED ALL THE WAY -
Matlock made league leaders FC United battle all the way for their eleventh successive league victory, with a spirited performance in front of a 2,044 crowd at Gigg Lane. More...

MATLOCK BRING A HARD EARNED POINT HOME FROM BARWELL. -
Matlock earned a well deserved and hard earned point from a physical and direct encounter when they made their first ever visit to Barwell on Saturday. More...

ATKINS - 'STILL A LOT TO PLAY FOR' MATLOCK TOWN'S NEWS ROUND UP -
Two costly defeats in three days seem to have scuppered Matlock's play off aspirations, but manager Mark Atkins insists there is still plenty to play for. More...

MATLOCK LOSE AN 'EASILY FORGETTABLE GAME' AWAY AT STAMFORD -
An easily forgettable game was settled after 21 minutes when Ryan Robbins netted to give the hosts a vital three points in their escape bid against the drop. More...

A NIGHTMARE DEFEAT FOR MATLOCK AGAINST STRUGGLING STAFFORD -
A home banker turned into a nightmare for Matlock who were on the end of a shock defeat. Match Report More...

MATLOCK MARCH ON WITH A THIRD LEAGUE WIN IN A WEEK - AWAY AT ILKESTON -
The damage was done in the first half as Matlock thoroughly deserved their third league win in a week at the New Manor Ground on Saturday. More...

MATLOCK'S NEWS AS THEY PREPARE FOR LOCAL DERBY WITH ILKESTON -
Mark Atkins hailed a fantastic three days for Matlock Town and praised his players and the club's fans in the process. More...

MATLOCK EARN AN IMPRESSIVE FIFTH SUCCESSIVE HOME WIN -
Matlock's impressive home record was maintained as they earned a fifth successive win at the Autoworld Arena in a thrilling game with Grantham on Tuesday night. More...

MAGNIFICENT MATLOCK EARN THE WIN AGAINST SKELMERSDALE -
A magnificent performance from the boys in blue earned the hosts a deserved win against second in the table Skelmersdale, in spite of having to play the final sixty four minutes with only ten men. More...

MATLOCK HOPING
FOR A DEBUT WIN AT THE NEWLY NAMED AUTOWORLD ARENA -
Matlock will be wanting their debut game at their newly named Autoworld Arena to be a memorable one, as they aim to bounce back from an out of character hammering at Rushall last weekend. More...

MATLOCK AGREE LUCRATIVE NEW SPONSORSHIP DEAL WITH AUTOWORLD -
Matlock Town's ground will now be known as the 'Autoworld Arena', as details of the exciting new sponsorship deal emerged this week. More...

MATLOCK HIT FOR SIX AS THEIR UNBEATEN RUN COMES TO AN ABRUPT END -
What a way to lose your unbeaten start to 2014! Matlock conceded six goals in a crazy second half, after leading at half time against Rushall Olympic More...

MATLOCK FACE SIX POINTER AT RUSHALL AS 2 NEW SIGNINGS ARE ANNOUNCED -
Matlock face a play off contending six pointer at Rushall Olympic on Saturday as two young faces sign for the Gladiators. More...

ATKINS PRAISES PLAYERS AFTER DIFFICULT WIN AT FRICKLEY & NEWS -
Mark Atkins praised his players after their 3-1 victory at a wet and windy Frickley Athletic last Saturday, going unbeaten in 5 games, 4 of which have brought maximum points. More...

GLADIATORS GO
FIVE UNBEATEN
WITH AWAY WIN AT FRICKLEY -
Matlock extended their unbeaten run to five games and secured their first away win in four months in terrible weather at Westfield Lane on Saturday. More...

GLADIATORS EARN A HARD FOUGHT WIN AT HOME TO DROYLSDEN. MATCH REPORT -
Matlock got the win everyone expected against the basement side, but it was a more difficult challenge than the 4-1 win at the Butchers Arms in October More...

THIS WEEK'S NEWS FROM MATLOCK AND
A PREVIEW OF THE DROYLSDEN GAME -
"We take nothing for granted" will be the message from Matlock boss Mark Atkins as they welcome basement club Droylsden to the Reynolds Stadium on Saturday. More...

MATLOCK'S MATCH AT STORMY STAMFORD
IS ABANDONED. MATCH REPORT -
Referee David Plowright halted proceedings after 23 minutes when a fierce thunderstorm engulfed the ground and left the pitch saturated. More...

McMAHON SCORES TWO TO GIVE MATLOCK THREE. MATCH REPORT -
Lewis McMahon's brace earned Matlock their victory, but others behind him put in sterling effort to ensure another clean sheet at home. More...

LATE PENALTY DENIES MATLOCK A WIN AFTER SCRAPPY ENCOUNTER -
A 78th minute penalty leveller denied Matlock all three points from a scrappy encounter at The Meres against Grantham Town. More...

MATLOCK NEWS AND PREVIEW OF SATURDAY'S AWAY TRIP TO GRANTHAM -
After ending high flying Worksop Town's unbeaten run at the thirteenth game, Matlock Town face a different challenge when they travel to Grantham on Saturday. More...

MATLOCK'S INABILITY TO FINISH COSTS THEM ANOTHER 3 POINTS -
For this week's report, see last weeks and probably many before! More points go astray for Matlock simply because they could not finish chances off. More...

MATLOCK'S DERBY DRAW IN THE DARK
AS BUXTON'S BULBS BLOW! -
The lights went out with a bang at the Silverlands to end this Boxing Day A6 derby early at half time. More...

MATLOCK GET THE CLEAN SHEET - BUT NOT THE THREE POINTS -
Again this was a tale of Matlock being unable to take the few chances that came their way in a dour stalemate at home against Marine. More...

ALL THE GLADIATORS' NEWS AHEAD OF THE CHRISTMAS WEEK FIXTURES -
"Individual mistakes are killing us!" declared Matlock boss Mark Atkins after the disappointing and frustrating recent run of form More...

MATLOCK DEFEAT AT STOCKSBRIDGE WAS "LARGELY SELF INFLICTED" -
Matlock Town's disappointing defeat away to struggling Stocksbridge Park Steels, was largely self inflicted. More...

MATLOCK MAKE IT AN UNWANTED HAT TRICK WITH A THIRD CUP EXIT -
Matlock made it an unwanted hat-trick of cup exits against lower league opposition this term, as Glossop knocked them out of the Derbyshire Senior Cup. More...

MATLOCK GET THEIR FIRST WIN IN SIX AS THEY BEAT
TRAFFORD -
This first league win in six matches for Matlock Town was achieved with a little more difficulty than was envisaged at the half time break which came at a bad time for the home side. More...

MATLOCK HAVE 'ONLY THEMSELVES TO BLAME' AFTER
DEFEAT TO WITTON -
Matlock had only themselves to blame for not winning a game they dominated at Witton Albion. More...

MATLOCK MAKE HARD WORK OF A WIN OVER HALLAM IN MID-WEEK FRIENDLY -
The Gladiators made hard work of beating Toolstation NCEL First Division visitors Hallam, in a hastily arranged friendly game at the Reynolds Stadium on Tuesday night More...

MATLOCK SUFFER UNDESERVED FA TROPHY EXIT AT CHORLEY -
Chorley secured a hat-trick of victories against Matlock with this FA Trophy result at Victory Park last Saturday, but the 2-0 scoreline fails to tell the whole story as Matlock deserved at least a replay. More...

MATLOCK MAKE A POINT AGAINST HIGH FLYERS AFC FYLDE. MATCH REPORT -
Danny Holland had given Matlock a deserved interval lead against title contenders AFC Fylde, but the Coasters got a fortunate break five minutes into the second half to level through Andy Russell. More...

TOUGH FIXTURES AND A FAIR PLAY AWARD IN A GLADIATORS NEWS ROUND-UP -
If Monday's FA Trophy draw seemed tough - a visit to Chorley on November 16th - then Mark Atkins' men received confirmation that would be the case in Tuesday night's 3-1 league defeat on the same ground. More...

GLADIATORS FALL AT THE HANDS OF LIKELY DIVISION CHAMPIONS. MATCH REPORT -
Sometimes it's a case of holding hands up and admitting the better side won! This was the case for away fans at Victory Park on Bonfire Night, as the fireworks came from Chorley, who completed a league double over Matlock More...

Related Links

Matlock Town Website