LATEST NEWS FROM MATLOCK TOWN FC
"We Need To Stand Up And Be Counted" Matlock Boss Atkins
Thursday 16th February 2012 With exactly two thirds of their league problem 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. READ MORE...
Gladiators Match Is Off
Saturday 11th February 2012 Matlock Town's match today against Whitby - due to be played at the Reynolds Stadium - has been postponed through snow and ice on the pitch.
Next Away Game, Chorley v Matlock Town, Sat 18th February - Next Home Game, Matlock Town v Rushall Olympic, Sat 25th February.
Matlock Boss Atkins Fights On And Puts The Record Straight
Thursday 9th February 2012 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.
Former Worksop Town chief Martin McIntosh was appointed on Saturday, but some Bucks fans had posted, not only on their own, but also national fan's forums, that Atkins had submitted an application for the job which became open for the second time this season just days earlier.
Scott Maxfield had taken over... READ MORE AND VIDEO...
Gladiators Under Pressure For Results
Friday 3rd February 2012 Mark 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.
Just one win in their last ten league games has seen their season turn sour. Now he has to ensure the rot does not set in, with Matlock watching over their shoulders as to what the teams below them are doing.
Matlock is Atkins' first managerial appointment and, when he took over from Phil Brown and Gareth Williams back in November 2008... READ MORE...
New Blood For Gladiators
Friday 27th January 2012 The fresh blood promised by manager Mark Atkins might just be in the Matlock Town squad for Saturday's home clash with Ashton United.
The changes began late last week when popular midfielder Steve Warne moved ten miles down the A6 to Belper Town after three separate spells with the Gladiators covering the best part of eight years. Arriving at the Reynolds Stadium was another midfielder in 6'1" Harry Winter on a dual registration, game by game agreement with Blue Square North leaders Hyde FC. Winter played well in Matlock's 2-1 defeat at Kendal last Saturday. READ MORE...
Midfielder Steve Warne Leaves Gladiators For Near Neighbours
Friday 20th January 2012 Midfielder Steve Warne has left Matlock Town and moved to Evo-Stik NPL First Division South neighbours Belper Town for an undisclosed fee.
The former Chesterfield player, who also lists Hucknall Town, Worksop Town and Alfreton Town among his former clubs, had a loan spell at Christ Church Meadow earlier this term. he has struggled to hold down a regular place in the Gladiators starting line up this season.
Matlock have made a short term signing in Hyde midfielder Harry Winter, who comes to the Reynolds Stadium on a dual registration agreement. 6'1" tall, Harry joined Hyde from FC Halifax Town in December 2011 having previously been with Northwich Victoria. Winter is expected to go straight into the Gladiators side at Kendal tomorrow (Saturday).
Atkins Rubbishes Transfer Rumours
Friday 20th January 2012 Matlock head to Kendal on Saturday with the criticism of manager Mark Atkins ringing in their ears.
Last Saturday's trip to Chasetown was frozen off, dashing Atkins' hopes of a positive reaction to a 1-0 home defeat by Frickley in the Doodson Sports League Cup, meaning now that Matlock just have sixteen league matches to play this season.
But Atkins wants his side to gather as many points as possible for a high final position in the table, although he admits that his side will have to find championship winning form to reach the play offs. READ MORE...
"We Need A Win!" - Gladiators Boss Mark Atkins
Friday 6th January 2012 Mark Atkins seems to be losing patience and is ready to make the changes needed to arrest a Matlock Town slump that has seen them fail to record a league victory in eight games.
The 3-1 defeat at Mickleover Sports on Monday afternoon upset Atkins and fans alike and the manager was quick to announce the departure of six foot two striker Danny Davidson soon after the game.
Davidson, formerly with Alfreton Town, only returned to the Reynolds Stadium for a second spell at the end of November. READ MORE...
Gladiators Battling For A Win This Weekend
Friday 16th December 2011 Draw specialists Matlock Town will be hoping to finally secure the 2 extra points when they entertain Rushall Olympic in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division on Saturday.
Both of the Gladiators' last league trips have seen them share the spoils at Bradford Park Avenue, where they held a two goal interval advantage, and last weekend, when Tyeisse Nightingale snatched a late equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw at Stocksbridge Park Steels.
Matlock are proving to be a tough team to beat but, as Manager Mark Atkins acknowledges "It's high time we started winning some games." READ MORE...
Two More Injury Headaches For Gladiators Boss Atkins
Wednesday 7th December 2011
The treatment room at the Reynolds Stadium continues to have it's fair share of takers and two more Gladiators joined the injury list in last weekend's 2-2 draw at Bradford Park Avenue.
Full back Kris Witcombe was forced off in the second half with a damaged shoulder, initially feared to be broken until a hospital visit back in Derbyshire revealed just bad bruising. Disappointingly new winger Craig Nelthorpe's Matlock debut lasted barely half an hour as a recurrence of a hamstring problem forced him back to the dressing room. Both look like being sidelined for a number of weeks. READ MORE...
Gladiators Secure New Players
Thursday 1st December 2011 "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.
Six foot plus striker Danny Davidson finally signed on the dotted line for the Gladiators before last weekend's 1-0 home defeat to Blue Square North leaders Hyde and made his debut in the 2-1 reverse to Hednesford in midweek.
Then on Tuesday, Atkins brought in winger Craig Nelthorpe who also would have featured against Hednesford but for a slight hamstring problem. READ MORE...
"The Best Laid Plans Of Mice And Men..."
Thursday 24th November 2011 "...often go awry." These must be Matlock manager Mark Atkins' sentiments as he prepares his side for their attractive home FA Carlsberg Trophy tie with Blue Square North leaders Hyde FC on Saturday.
Speaking after the midweek draw at Stafford Rangers where Matlock collected another four injuries on top of the two they picked up in the 4-0 defeat at Chester three days earlier, Atkins reflected "I'd got a game plan for Hyde but that'll probably go out of the window now. It might be a case of mix and match, seeing who we've got fit. We'll assess things at Thursday training, it might be a case of whether we have a proper session given injuries. Whoever's fittest may end up playing!" READ MORE...
Gladiators Up For The Battle Ahead
Thursday 10th November 2011
Mark Atkins is turning out to be one of Matlock Town's most astute managers as his homework again paid off when he plotted the downfall of promotion rivals Hednesford Town in the FA Trophy this week.
The 2nd Qualifying Round draw gave the Gladiators the draw they probably didn't want as they had to travel to Keys Park, something of a fortress for the Pitmen who had not lost at home in the league for a year. Only Corby Town had won there in an FA Cup tie and just four days before Matlock's visit, League One Walsall, containing many first team players, had been beaten 6-5 in a County Cup tie! READ MORE...
Gladiators Learn To Adapt
Friday 4th November 2011
Adaptability is the name of the game for Matlock boss Mark Atkins who has adopted "a horses for courses" approach to team selection and tactics in two games during the past week.
At league leaders Northwich, he went for a more cautious and solid look with a 4-5-1 formation. Then at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels on Wednesday night, it was back to a conventional 4-4-2 with two wingers. Both approaches could be deemed as successful with Matlock stifling the Vics to earn a 0-0 draw and a useful point on Saturday. Then on Wednesday, Matlock thrashed Stocksbridge 4-0. READ MORE...
Dinner At Matlock Town FC Raises £5,000
Friday 4th November 2011 Matlock Town FC has raised over £5,000 from the first sportsman's dinner held at their new sports and social club.
BBC Radio's Test Match Special commentator Jonathan Agnew delivered the after-dinner speech and comedy was provided by Dave Wolfe.
Items auctioned on the night included the chance to play snooker with green baize legend Jimmy White.
Home and away shirts signed by 52 goal ex-player Ross Hannah... READ MORE...
Matlock's Back Line On Side Line?
Friday 28th October 2011 Matlock Town could have a complete back four on the sidelines this weekend as they travel to league leaders Northwich Victoria.
Just two weeks ago, Andy Preece's men inflicted a 2-0 home defeat on the Gladiators in a game when Matlock Boss Mark Atkins was critical of his players saying four or five of them "weren't at the races."
"You can't afford that against a side of the quality of Northwich" said Atkins after the match. Clearly he will be hoping that his players have took on board the lessons learned from that first match so as to avoid the 'Vics' inflicting a league double over them and a third successive league defeat. READ MORE...
Gladiator's Injury Loss
Thursday 20th October 2011 Mark Atkins says that James Lukic has been comfortably Matlock's best player this season and losing him for two to three weeks is a "massive blow."
Lukic picked up a knee ligament injury in the 2-1 defeat at Nantwich Town last Tuesday week and was forced out of the lacklustre showing which brought about a 2-0 home defeat by table topping Northwich Victoria last weekend.
It now looks as if Atkins has seen enough to convince him that his squad needs freshening up. READ MORE...
Gladiator's Have A Blast
Friday 14th October 2011 Few people would have guessed that Matlock boss Mark Atkins would be blasting his players just three days after they demolished the visiting league leaders Chorley at the Reynolds Stadium last Saturday.
The Gladiators produced their best performance for many months to thrash the Magpies 4-0 and Atkins and the fans had every reason to be confident ahead of their trip to mid table Nantwich Town last Tuesday night.
But Matlock never got going at the Weaver Stadium as the 'After the Lord Mayor's Show' syndrome came into play. They deservedly lost the game... READ MORE...
Gladiator's Battle With League Leaders Looms
Friday 7th October 2011 The league leaders come to town on Saturday and Matlock manager Mark Atkins wants his side to repeat the performance in last weekend's FA Cup defeat to Hinckley United, but convert more of the chances being created.
Newly promoted Chorley will present Matlock with a stern test in what is a tough and competitive Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division this season, but Atkins is upbeat after his side dominated much of the cup-tie, but lost 3-1.
"We were the better side and dominated for long periods." READ MORE...
Gladiators Punch Above Their Weight
Thursday 29th September 2011 "Remember what happened last year when we played a Blue Square North side" will be the message from Matlock Manager Mark Atkins to his troops ahead of this weekend's FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round home clash with Hinckley United.
Just under twelve months ago, Matlock had home advantage against Eastwood Town, from the same division as Hinckley, in the Third Qualifying Round, but badly fluffed their lines, going down with barely a whimper as the Badgers won 3-0.
"We don't want a repeat of the Eastwood game..." READ MORE...
Gladiators Recharge Their Batteries
Wednesday 21st September 2011 A free week was just what Matlock Town wanted after a busy opening month of the campaign which has seen them play almost a quarter of their Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division fixtures plus make progress in the FA Cup.
The Gladiators comfortably saw off the stubborn challenge of Evo-Stik NPL First Division South Hucknall Town by a 2-0 margin at the Reynolds Stadium, to give them the bonus of a midweek break, plus a home tie in the next stage, against Blue Square North Hinckley United. READ MORE...
Gladiators Battle On Despite Injury
Thursday 1st September 2011 The 2-1 win against Mickleover Sports on Monday which extended Matlock Town's unbeaten run to five games might have come at a cost.
Striker TJ Nightingale, who netted the second Gladiators goal, was forced off in the 48th minute with a knee injury and Matlock are anxiously awaiting news of the extent of any damage.
And Lee Whittington, who replaced him, collided with Sports' goalkeeper Ali Barcherini late on to collect a knee injury. READ MORE...
Gladiators Battle On
Thursday 25th August 2011 According to boss Mark Atkins, two wins and two clean sheets has done much to right the wrongs of Matlock Town's first two games.
But Atkins also says that there is still hard work to be done. After conceding five goals in contests against Ashton United and Chasetown which yielded a solitary point, an Ian Holmes penalty saw the Gladiators sneak past visiting Kendal Town last Saturday. Then in a more expansive performance, Town dominated at Frickley Athletic on Tuesday and should have won more emphatically than by the two goals scored by Tyeisse Nightingale and James Lukic. READ MORE...
New Signing Gives Gladiator Boss Selection Headache
Friday 12th August 2011 On trial striker Tyeisse Nightingale signed for Matlock Town at the weekend and now Gladiators boss Mark Atkins feels he has competition throughout his squad.
Nottingham based Nightingale, who was with Hucknall Town last season and has also had spells with Alfreton Town and Eastwood Town, contacted Atkins after originally taking time to mull over the offer from Matlock.
"After the Alfreton game, I'd seen enough to want to offer Tyeisse a deal. He contacted me on Friday and said he'd love to sign for us ..." READ MORE...
Gladiators Hunt For Striker Goes On
Thursday 4th August 2011 Matlock boss Mark Atkins' search for another striker goes on but new recruit Lee Whittington has done his chances of a starting place no harm whatsoever with four goals in the pre season games so far.
He struck late in the opener at Teversal to earn the Gladiators a draw, before adding three goals in the last two matches, a second half winner in the 3-2 home win over a Derby County eleven, and both goals in the 2-1 success at Sheffield last Thursday.
And Atkins has been impressed with what he has seen from a player who has hurt Matlock in the past having scored for 3 opposition teams. READ MORE...
Gladiators Draw In New Blood
Wednesday 20th July 2011
Matlock boss Mark Atkins swooped quickly to replace his departing goalkeeper Adam Sollitt with Worksop Town's Jon Kennedy and is now looking to boost the one problem area he has in his current squad, his attack.
After impressing in the Gladiators 1-1 draw with a virtually full strength Bradford City, including the hosts' former goal machine Ross Hannah, Kennedy signed on the dotted line at the Reynolds Stadium. And Atkins was delighted as thirty years old Kennedy was his number one choice. READ MORE...
Finders Keepers For Gladiators
Thursday 14th July 2011 The shock departure of No 1 goalkeeper Adam Sollitt means that a new goalkeeper is top of Matlock manager Mark Atkins' shopping list with the new season just under a month away.
The former England non league international told Atkins late last week that increased work commitments are behind his decision.
"Adam has been straight with me and said that with his new job, he can't commit the time to football and to the club that he used to and needs to, so we're on the look out for a new keeper." READ MORE...
Battle Lines Drawn For Gladiators
Wednesday 13th July 2011 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.
The Gladiators suffered two defeats on the Hurst Cross ground late last season, losing the League Cup semi final 1-0 before going down 3-1 in the league.
Matlock's opening home match on Wed August 17th sees fancied Chasetown visit the Reynolds Stadium and this is quickly followed by another tough home game against Kendal Town on Sat August 20th. READ MORE...
Midweek Fixtures Change For The Gladiators
Wednesday 6th July 2011 There's a change of midweek home night for Matlock Town this season as the Gladiators switch from Tuesday to Wednesday.
Explaining the move Matlock Chairman Tom Wright said that it had been done in a bid to attract extra floating fans to matches at the Reynolds Stadium.
"We've looked at what other clubs are doing and, after a great deal of deliberation, opted for Wednesday. We appreciate Tuesday has been football night in Matlock for a lot of years but now Derby County, Chesterfield, Alfreton Town and Belper Town all play on a Tuesday night at home." READ MORE...
Trialists Make Their Mark For Gladiators
Wednesday 22nd June 2011 A clutch of trialists will have the chance to stake their claim with Mark Atkins' Gladiators when the Blues return for pre season training next Thursday (30th June).
Atkins says that everyone starts equal and the hope is that they will unearth a future young star or two to add to their four major signings during the close season.
Striker Ian Holmes has retuned to the Reynolds Stadium after a 4-year absence with Mansfield Town, AFC Telford, Eastwood Town and last season winning the Evo-Stik League 1st Division South Golden Boot award with Glapwell. READ MORE...
Gladiators Sign Up Experienced Duo For Coming Campaign
Tuesday 14th June 2011 Manager Mark Atkins reckons that he has found the experience that was perhaps lacking in his Matlock Town squad after agreeing deals with Worksop Town winger Chris Bettney and Frickley Athletic defender Simon Sturdy.
For Sturdy, it is a return to the Reynolds Stadium having spent 3 months on loan with the Gladiators from Blue Square North Harrogate Town in the 2009/10 campaign. And Matlock fans will be glad to see Bettney in their colours with him regularly being a thorn in their side and a regular scorer when facing them for the likes of Alfreton Town, Bradford Park Avenue and Retford United. READ MORE...
Two New Faces For Gladiators
Thursday 9th June 2011 Matlock Town's first two signings of the summer are a former fan’s favourite and an up and coming utility player.
Manager Mark Atkins found it third time lucky as 25 years old striker Ian Holmes returns after nearly four years away and Holmes is joined by former Glapwell team mate Michael Harcourt.
The capture of Holmes is significant given the fact that the Gladiators' goal machine of the last three seasons, Ross Hannah, finally achieved his boyhood dream of earning a full time pro contract at Bradford City last month. READ MORE...
Due To Return To Gladiator's Arena Next Season
Wednesday 1st June 2011 Two of Matlock Town's brightest young stars have signed new one-year contracts ahead of the new campaign.
Defender Adam Yates and midfielder Liam King have signed on the dotted line to the delight of Gladiators Manager Mark Atkins who views their continued commitment as a significant step forward as he prepares for what he anticipates being "a very tough league."
"They're both exceptional young players who've been great for us and were excellent last season, so I'm naturally delighted..." READ MORE...
Gladiators Boss Praises Buxton
Wednesday 25th May 2011
Matlock boss Mark Atkins this week paid tribute to his number two Nick Buxton for his contribution both on and off the field.
The former Doncaster Rovers, Scarborough and Stalybridge goalkeeper stepped into the breach after Mark Haran stepped to one side due to personal commitments midway through last season. As yet there is no official news from the club of Haran's future intentions. And when first choice stopper Adam Sollitt suffered with back and other problems, Buxton came in to produce faultless performances between the sticks. READ MORE...
Hannah Joins The Bantams As Gladiators Announce Friendlies
Wednesday 18th May 2011 Ross Hannah finally got his wish of a career in the Football League when he joined League 2 outfit, Bradford City last Thursday.
The Matlock Town goal machine ended a three year spell with the Gladiators which has brought 3 Fans Player of the Year Awards, 3 club top scorer awards, 2 Premier Division Golden Boot trophies, a Derbyshire Senior Cup winners and losers medal, plus smashing a twenty eight year club goalscoring record by cracking in 52 goals last season.
Now he will be plying his trade three levels above the Gladiators... READ MORE...
Praise For Gladiators' Young Star
Wednesday 4th May 2011 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.
Turner was a teammate of fellow Gladiator James Knowles at League Two Burton Albion before the Brewers released both last summer. Although Turner had to be patient before getting his chance, he quickly made his mark with a string of impressive displays that delighted both his manager Mark Atkins and the Town fans.
"He's done very well for us" Atkins said. "He asked us for a trial in the pre season and did the rounds at a few other clubs but came back. He had to bide his time to get in but that chance came when we had the long-term injury to Mark Haran." READ MORE...
Gladiators' Hannah Strikes Gold
Wednesday 27th April 2011
Ross Hannah has surely hit legendary status at Matlock Town as his hat trick in Easter Monday's final league game of the campaign at Buxton saw him shatter Bobby Mountain's club record of 49 goals in a season.
Hannah hit all three of the Gladiators goals to take his total to an amazing 52 in league and cup and he will have the further honour of retaining the Evo-Stik Premier Division's Golden Boot award. Hannah has scored 35 league goals and 17-cup strikes, 7 more than nearest challenger, Marine's Jamie Rainford. READ MORE...
Stay Of Execution For The Gladiators
Wednesday 20th April 2011 Boss Mark Atkins admitted that it was "a huge relief" to beat Nantwich Town at the Reynolds Stadium on Tuesday and end their sequence without a league win at the tenth attempt.
3 draws and 6 defeats followed the last 3 points haul up at Whitby back on March 9th which had seen the Gladiators slide down from 2nd to 11th before kick off. The 4-2 success though was not without its worrying moments, particularly as the relegation threatened visitors held a 2-0 lead with 37 minutes gone. READ MORE...New Facilities For The Gladiators
Monday 18th April 2011 Success for Evo-Stik League Premier Division outfit Matlock Town hasn't come on the field this season, but off it.
After years of painstaking planning, graft and fund raising, their dream of a new stand and clubhouse became reality at their picturesque Reynolds Stadium arena.
A 288-seater stand, complete with changing, laundry and medical facilities was used for the first time in September and at the home game with Whitby Town on March 26th, the new Social Club was open for the very first time. READ MORE...
Is The Gladiator's Battle Over?
Wednesday 13th April 2011 Manager Mark Atkins has conceded that his side's hopes of reaching the play offs are all but over.
At the end of February the Gladiators were riding high in second spot in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division table but since their 2-1 win at Whitby on March 9th, their form has been nothing short of disastrous with a meagre return of 2 points out of 24.
The defeat which broke the camel's back came at Ashton United on Monday night when errors at the back again returned to haunt Matlock after a nearly faultless defensive performance in the unfortunate 1-0 home loss to Bradford Park Avenue last weekend. READ MORE...
Now Or Never For The Gladiators
Wednesday 6th April 2011 It's now or never for Matlock Town in terms of getting their season back on track.
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, but a disappointing last month, which has seen them without a win in six league outings, has left them on the fringes of the race in seventh spot with just six matches remaining.
"We've got to try and win every game we play and go for eighteen out of eighteen points" Manager Mark Atkins declared, "We know we've not been playing that well and we've defended poorly, but we've got to approach these matches with the view that things are going to change and we've got to carry on battling." READ MORE...
Fight Goes On For Gladiators
Wednesday 30th March 2011 Their play off hopes may be fading but Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins insists that the fight goes on.
Two precious points went astray as a two goal lead was squandered at home to relegation threatened Whitby Town on Saturday, a result which saw the Gladiators slip down to seventh spot.
But Tuesday night brought a 2nd successive defeat for fellow challengers Worksop Town who lost 1-0 at Frickley Athletic after another single goal loss to Colwyn Bay, which at least was evidence of other teams starting to feel the heat. READ MORE...
Battle Ahead For The Gladiators
Thursday 24th March 2011 Make no bones about it, Matlock need to beat Whitby Town in Saturday's lunchtime kick off (1pm) at the Reynolds Stadium.
After a fantastic February which saw them win four successive league games and two in the Evo-Stik League Challenge Cup to earn boss Mark Atkins the Manager of the Month award, it's been a miserable March as six games have brought a mean tally of just four points.
A home draw with Northwich on the first Saturday of the month was followed by victory at Whitby in the following midweek. But then it started to go all wrong for the Gladiators... READ MORE...
New Blood For The Gladiators
Friday 18th March 2011 Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins has fulfilled his promise to strengthen his Gladiators squad after two successive defeats ahead of tomorrow's Evo-Stik League Premier Division trip to Bradford Park Avenue.
He has swooped to bring in winger Ryan Mallon from Worksop Town and has also signed Northwich Victoria's 6'4" target man John McAliskey on loan for the rest of the season. READ MORE...
Gladiators Battle To Hang On To Hannah
Saturday 12th March 2011 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."
Torquay fans posted messages on the Matlock Town FC official website forum on Tuesday saying Hannah had moved to the South Devon club, but that clearly was not the case as he notched his 43rd goal this season and the winner in the 2-1 win at Whitby on Wednesday to lift the Gladiators into second spot. READ MORE...
And The Winner Is...
Wednesday 9th March 2011 A brace of awards have come Matlock Town's way this week with manager Mark Atkins being named as the Evo-Stik League Premier Division Manager of the Month for February and away from the playing side, the Gladiators new stand being acclaimed as the best new stand of 2011 in the Groundtastic Sports magazine.
Atkins dedicated his award to his players who during the month had an unblemished record of 6 wins out of 6, including a haul of 12 valuable league points which now gives them a good chance of qualifying for the end of season play offs. In those 6 outings, Matlock found the net 20 times, conceding just 4 goals. READ MORE...
Gladiators Fight To The Finish
Thursday 3rd March 2011 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.
The Gladiators won all six of their league and cup games that brought a valuable haul of twelve points and a semi final place in the Evo-Stik League Challenge Cup. Last Saturday's fine 4-2 victory at Marine saw them leapfrog both their hosts and Colwyn Bay to move temporarily into second spot, a position taken over by North Ferriby United after a 2-1 win at Bradford Park Avenue on Monday night. READ MORE...
Atkins Pleased After Weekend Win
Thursday 10th February 2011 Matlock boss Mark Atkins reckons that last Saturday's 4-0 win at foot of the table Retford United was a massive result for his side in more ways than one.
Not only did it end a run of three successive league defeats but, on a day when half of the Evo-Stik League Premier Division programme was washed out, the Gladiators gained valuable ground in the play off race.
"It was a vital game for us especially with a lot of the other sides not playing" Atkins admitted. "Points on the board are better than games in hand as we've found out recently. But we've managed to take fifteen points from our last eight games - that can be classed as championship winning form." READ MORE...
Atkins Seeks New Blood For Gladiators
Wednesday 2nd February 2011 A busy Mark Atkins is trying to strengthen his Matlock squad ahead of a run that includes eighteen league games and at least one, hopefully more, League Cup tie to play before the season's end.
In a bid to find support in the scoring department for goal machine Ross Hannah, the Matlock boss has brought in striker Anthony Wilson on a month's loan from Blue Square North neighbours Alfreton Town.
And Wilson made a scoring debut, netting Matlock's final goal in the 3-0 League Cup win over Barwell on Tuesday night. READ MORE...
Matlock Town Seeks Investors
Monday 24th January 2011 "A few thousand pounds could make a real difference to the club". That's the message from Matlock Town Football Club as it appeals for local investors to help make their ambitious development plans a reality.
The Gladiators, currently aiming for promotion from the Evo Stik Premier League, did receive an investment offer - from a businessman in Slovenia, over 1,000 miles away!
Tom Wright, Chairman of the club, admits he was surprised by the approach, telling the Chesterfield Post, "The gentleman expressed interest in the possibility of investing in our club just before Christmas" READ MORE...
All Change For The Gladiators
Wednesday 19th Jjanuary 2011 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 as Mark Atkins' men aim to return to winning ways following a defeat at Chasetown on Tuesday night.
It's not being put down to players doing a lot wrong. Fatigue could be the reason - as Atkins hinted after the trip to Staffordshire that saw the Gladiators winning run come to an end at the fifth time of asking.
"I thought long and hard about making one or two changes before the game," Atkins admitted, "But some players had got stuck in traffic on the way to the game and didn't arrive until ten past seven." READ MORE...
Keep It Up!
Wednesday 12th January 2011 Having won four out of their last five league matches, Mark Atkins' Matlock Town now find themselves up in third spot, and Atkins says he wants his side to go all out for more wins.
"We're playing to a good standard at the minute with 4 wins out of 5. We've got to try and win games, it's no use going for draws, so I'll be looking for more of the same great attitude from the players in games to come" Atkins pledged as he prepares his men for 2 more tough clashes against fellow promotion rivals. READ MORE...
Flu Hits Matlock Camp
Wednesday 5th January 2011 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.
Atkins is just one of several members of the Gladiators dressing room suffering from winter flu like effects, and the boss did not even make it to last Saturday's clash at Mickleover which ended in a 1-0 defeat for his charges. He revealed that it was time for some straight talking after losing in Derby, as lowly Sports inflicted only a second away defeat of the season on Matlock and a first league double. READ MORE...
Atkins - "2010 Has Been A Great Year"
Thursday 30th December 2010 Matlock boss Mark Atkins reckons 2010 has been a good year. The Gladiators' fate though in 2011 could be decided on how they cope with fixture congestion in what is expected to be a crowded end to the campaign.
He believes that he has a stronger side than at this time twelve months ago, but still says that the depth in the squad could be an issue.
2010 began with 3 successive league defeats and by the time they were due to host Kendal Town on February 6, Matlock were in the relegation zone. READ MORE...
The Proverbial 'Six-Pointer'
Thursday 23rd December 2010 Matlock Town v Buxton on Christmas Monday at the Reynolds Stadium looks to be the proverbial six pointer at the top end of the Evo-Stik League Premier Division as the local rivals seek a play off spot come the end of the season.
The Gladiators are in sixth spot, three places and two points behind the third placed Bucks, but Mark Atkins' men have a game in hand.
A hard fought derby is on the cards, but the big question is will the match be on? READ MORE...
Gladiators Battle Arctic Conditions
Wednesday 1st December 2010 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.
Last Saturday's scheduled trip to Marine was called off on Saturday morning with the Arriva Stadium pitch frozen, and when the snow arrived in Derbyshire over the weekend, that combined with the frost already in the ground meant that the postponement of Tuesday evening's home meeting with North Ferriby United was a formality, with the verdict even coming as early as Monday night. READ MORE...
Back To Winning Ways
Thursday 25th November 2010 by Ian Richardson 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 to end a three match losing run in the league and make progress in the EvoStik Challenge Cup.
Second in the table Colwyn Bay arrived at the Reynolds Stadium unbeaten in league matches away from home, but Matlock wrecked that record thanks to a Ross Hannah double and a late Dene Cropper strike. Cropper then was forced into an emergency central defender's role against Grantham Town on Tuesday when Hannah again notched a brace and James Knowles scored READ MORE...
Gladiators Fight On
Friday 19th November 2010
by Ian Richardson
Without a win in five games stretching over a month, Matlock Town will be desperate to grab maximum points against second placed Colwyn Bay at the Reynolds Stadium on Saturday.
Since the home victory against Ossett Town on October 23, the Gladiators have suffered three successive 2-1 league defeats against Worksop, Hucknall and lastly league leaders FC Halifax Town and lost a home FA trophy replay to Kendal Town, also by a 2-1 scoreline... READ MORE...
Matlock Boss Atkins "Giving Away Cheap Goals Must Stop"
Thursday 11th November 2010 Matlock boss Mark Atkins says his side must stop giving cheap goals away after they slipped to their second 2-1 home defeat in four days against Hucknall Town last weekend.
As against Kendal in the FA Trophy, both goals against Hucknall could easily have been avoided and on this occasion, Matlock were also guilty of missing some great chances as Hucknall's awayday hoodoo ended - the Nottinghamshire side having lost their last five matches on the road.
"We should have won," said a frustrated Atkins. READ MORE...
Milestone Appearance For Gladiators Player
Wednesday 3rd November 2010 There's two very good reasons why Matlock Town will want Saturday's visitors Hucknall Town to feel the backlash from the midweek home FA Trophy replay defeat to Kendal Town.
They will want a return to winning ways to keep up the pressure on the leading clubs, but also to celebrate a major milestone for their popular skipper James Lukic, for whom it will be his 500th appearance for the Gladiators.
Kendal returned to the Lake District victorious after a narrow 2-1 win which saw Matlock's hopes of a much awaited local derby... READ MORE...
Gladiators Fight Back After 1st Away Defeat Of Season
Friday 29th October 2010 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 on Wednesday in Saturday's FA Trophy clash at Kendal.
The Gladiators were clearly second best at Cannon Park when for a change recently, Ross Hannah failed to ink his name on the scoresheet. But it's still an ultra impressive twelve goals in the last four matches for Matlock's striking talisman.
Having beaten both Nantwich Town and Ossett Town to catapult from eleventh to third in the Evo-Stik Premier Division table... READ MORE...
You Can't Keep A Good Man Down!
Wednesday 20th October 2010
They say you can't keep a good man down... Matlock striker Ross Hannah has certainly proved the point this last week.
After a rather quiet start of six goals in twelve games prior to last Saturday's FA Trophy clash with Bedworth United, Hannah has simply gone goal crazy with a mammoth TEN in two games, remarkably smashing home SEVEN in the 10-0 FA Trophy hammering of the Greenbacks, before hitting a hat-trick as Matlock kept their unbeaten away run going with a 3-2 win at Nantwich on Tuesday night and climbed back up to seventh spot in the Evo-Stik Premier League table. READ MORE...
New Stand In Action At Matlock Town
Tuesday 5th October 2010 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. The Twigg Stand is part of a huge development project at the club that has also seen the old social club demolished and replaced with a new building.
Matlock Gaffer Blasts Referee
Friday 1st October 2010 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 after Chasetown edged a seven-goal thriller at the Reynolds Stadium on Tuesday night.
"I've been involved in the game now for twenty five years and I can quite easily say that's the worst refereeing performance I've ever seen." Atkins blasted.
Jones left the field to a chorus of boos after denying the Gladiators what looked to be one definite and one possible penalty... READ MORE...
Will History Repeat Itself?
Wednesday September 22nd 2010 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.
Three years ago in a First Qualifying Round tie, the Gladiators returned home with a comfortable 4-2 victory, and Matlock would readily accept another similar result this time around. READ MORE...
Top Of The League Matlock Town
Thursday 9th September 2010 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.
Matlock went into Sunday's visit to Stalybridge Celtic to face FC United of Manchester down in eleventh place, but an amazing 5-1 win catapulted them into fourth. The 5-1 victory came thanks to braces from Ross Hannah and substitute Dene Cropper, plus a James Knowles strike. Knowles also bagged the winner against Frickley on Tuesday. READ MORE...No Excuses!
Matlock boss Mark Atkins offered no excuses after a disappointing Bank Holiday return of just one point out of six.
Having demolished Burscough in their own back yard in their second game of the season, Matlock looked set to collect a maximum points return from a visit to Ossett Town last weekend and a home meeting with newly promoted Mickleover Sports on Monday afternoon. READ MORE...
"I Feel There's More To Come" - Matlock's Mark Atkins
"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.
This came after Matlock had won their opener against Stocksbridge 1-0 at the Reynolds Stadium last weekend with a lucky goal as Lee Featherstone's low cross deflected in off goalkeeper Dave Ratcliffe with just eighteen minutes left... READ MORE...
Three Match Ban For Midfielder
Matlock are preparing to go into their opening game of the season in the Evo –Stik Premier Division against Stocksbridge Park without key midfielder Liam King.
He's been suspended for three matches after receiving a straight red at Goole for violent conduct. The match had been stormy all along, with manager Mark Atkins taking his players off the pitch at one point whilst things calmed down.
King will also miss the Burscough and Ossett Town games
"The Lads Are 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. Matlock start their 2010/2011 Evo-Stik Premier League season against Stocksbridge Park Steels at the Reynolds Stadium on Saturday before on Tuesday night they are in West Lancashire to take on Burscough. READ MORE...
OTHER MATLOCK FC NEWS
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OTHER MATLOCK NEWS - A small section of the full article will be shown here of up to eight recent articles relating to this section. This will give you an idea of what the story is about so you can choose to go to the main article page and read in full. This area will soon be full of the most recent articles that are not yet archived. |
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