Ricky Ravenhill praises “professional” Matlock display as Gladiators seal play-off place

The win, paired with Dunston’s victory over Bradford (Park Avenue), mathematically confirmed the Gladiators' place in the top five.

And with Redcar Athletic already crowned champions, the focus now is on finishing the regular season with momentum.

With all three goals in Saturday’s win coming during a dominant first-half display, Ravenhill was more than pleased with the performance.

“I’m over the moon. We were solid from minute one,” he said post-match.

“I reiterated to them before the game that, in my opinion, they are the best footballers in the league, but they have to go and prove that on the pitch, and we did that all game long.

“We didn’t give them a sniff from minute one, and I thought it was a professional performance from the lads.”

It’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks at the Proctor Cars Stadium, after Adam Clayton left the club for the second time this season, with Matlock attributing the decision to the fact that they’d lost all five games against sides closest to them in the table.

In the two games since, the Gladiators have beaten two sides in the top 10 in Garforth Town and Consett, picking up clean sheets in both.

“It’s been fantastic,” Ravenhill said in response to how his interim role has gone so far. 

“You couldn’t really ask for anything more when you come into it. It was a proper away performance last week, and we backed it up with a strong performance at home today, where we were on the front foot and dominating.

“We’re scoring goals, not conceding, and long may it continue.”

Saturday's win saw Matlock tighten their grip on second place and home advantage throughout the entirity of the play-offs, moving four points clear of Emley in third.

They make the trip up to Silsden on Easter Monday, aiming to make it three wins on the spin under Ravenhill and Cresswell.