Atkins closes in on new signings

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.

Then in a hastily arranged friendly on Tuesday night at Armthorpe which Matlock won 4-1, two trialists were on view, one a central defender, the other a striker who after appearing as a substitute at half time, netted two of the goals.

"I'd like them to join us and hopefully I'll be able to speak to them at training on Thursday" said Atkins after the game which he described as useful. "The likes of Ben Algar, Craig Nelthorpe and TJ Nightingale, who have been out of the side recently got another ninety minutes under their belts, and if the two lads on trial do come, they should be in the squad for the Ashton game."

Matlock had turned down two earlier bids by the Nailers for Warne who had a successful loan spell at Christ Church Meadow earlier this season.

"The first two bids didn't meet our valuation but the club accepted a third offer when Belper came back in for him" explained Atkins. "I didn't want Steve to go but I told him he could talk to Belper if he wanted. he came back to me and said he'd go there because he felt he hadn't been doing that well this season and he felt stale. He's been a great servant of the club, and has never been a moment's trouble since I came to the club. He goes with our best wishes."

Atkins had watched Winter while he was at FC Halifax before his move to Hyde, and he was quick to contact Tigers' boss Gary Lowe to set up a deal.

"I spoke with Gary about him as he's not been playing due to coming back from injury. He did very well at Kendal, showed good quality on the ball , he bossed the game and got us playing in the first half. Hopefully Hyde won't want him back for a while and he can get some games in for us which will help him as well."

The loss at Kendal means that Matlock have won just once in their last nine league outings, so maximum points against Ashton are vital, the hope being that the Gladiators can string a run of wins together and remove any lingering worries of being caught by the clubs towards the bottom of the table.

The display at Kendal was promising, especially in the first half, as Atkins pointed out. He felt that his side was not sharp enough in the Kendal penalty box.

"We played very well, we kept and passed the ball really well but when we needed to hurt Kendal we weren't clinical enough. But I was encouraged by the performance, the fiorst half was the best we'd played for some time."

Kendal scored two quick goals early in the second half, the opener coming as the hosts counter attacked after Craig Nelthorpe's shot hit the inside of the post and landed in goalkeeper Craig Dootson's grasp.

Ashton beat the Gladiators 3-0 on the season's opening day, in a game which Matlock twice struck the woodwork. A tough game is anticipated, especially with injured trio Gareth Davies, Kris Bowler and Chris Bettney again expected to be out.

Atkins thanked the fans who travelled to Kendal.

"It's a long way to go and chatting to them in the bar afterwards it was good to hear they thought we'd played well and deserved something from the game. It's important we all stick together so we can get those wins and be able to relax a little."

The Gladiators have another friendly at Rainworth on Tuesday before travelling to North Ferriby United next weekend.

Fans could have been forgiven that assistant manager Nick Buxton had defected at Armthorpe. Buxton, although wearing a Matlock goalkeeping shirt, was between the sticks for the Baris NCEL Premier Division side. Armthorpe's keepers were all unavailable, and for a long spell it looked as if Buxton would keep a clean sheet. He denied his own club with a series of fine saves before Nightingale equalised on 62 minutes. Joining Nightingale and the trialist on the scoresheet was Scott Bibby.