Anxious wait for Atkins

Matlock boss Mark Atkins is anxiously waiting news on the fitness of a clutch of key players ahead of two games against potential Evo-Stik Northern Premier League title-winners, writes Ian Richardson.

On Saturday the Gladiators travel to second placed AFC Fylde who have banged in eleven goals in their last two games before welcoming fourth in the table Chorley to the Reynolds Stadium next Tuesday night.

Atkins, pictured, is more than satisfied with his side's four points from visits to Blyth Spartans last weekend and Ashton United on Wednesday night that leaves his side in ninth spot.

But with a small squad, a mounting injury list among his squad is now becoming a real worry and the Gladiators manager has brought in former Chesterfield and Alfreton boss and qualified physio Dave Rushbury to help treat his wounded. His patients include last season's Fans' Player of the Year James Lukic, Adam Yates, Lee Featherstone, Anton Foster and Anthony Griffiths-Junior.

They were all out before the trip to the North East and that match saw Micky Harcourt damage a hamstring in the warm-up and top scorer Darryl Thomas and captain Liam Needham forced off. Joe Leesley also hobbled in the final minutes but recovered to play at Ashton where more problems piled up with Corey Gregory and Oscar Radford added to the injury list.

Atkins said: "A lot have to be rated very doubtful for the weekend. All of the injured lads will be seeing Dave Rushbury on Thursday and it's a matter of taking things from there. We'll then have to decide what to do from there."

The 2-1 win at Blyth last Saturday was Matlock's first in ten league and cup meetings with the Spartans and it was certainly eventful. Atkins knows his men did it the hard way. Praising his entire squad and the club's travelling support, he said: "We were excellent and fully deserved the three points, it's a difficult place to go but in the circumstances with nine fit players on near the end, the lads deserve the utmost credit.

"Everything seemed to go against us, we had the three onfield injuries to deal with after losing Micky [Harcourt]. I'm very proud of each and every one of our players who were magnificent. A mention too for our fans who travelled up there. Their support was great and really appreciated by the players and staff."

Atkins also felt the result at Ashton in midweek was fair and added: "Over the ninety minutes it was an even game, neither side did enough to win, we had a couple of players carrying injuries and we looked leggy and tired after Saturday but we're pleased with the point even considering the Ashton player's sending off as again we had nine fit players with the injuries to Corey and Oscar."

* Matlock now know who their FA Cup First Qualifying Round opponents are next weekend. They travel to Toolstation NCEL Premier Division new boys Basford United who beat Quorn after extra-time and penalties in Tuesday night's Preliminary Round replay in Leicestershire. Former Matlock striker T J Nightingale scored in the 88th minute last weekend to earn Basford a second bite of the cherry after the sides originally drew 2-2.