Atkins Still Seeks Striker

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 each of Hednesford Town, Hucknall Town, and last season for Retford United.

"Lee's looked very dangerous and I've been very pleased with his work ethic and how he's run to find space in the opponents' penalty box. He's scored four good goals so far and really he's been the big plus for us which adds to our striking options."

Those options have been rather limited and the big conundrum appears to be who will partner Ian Holmes in attack.

Holmes is favourite to start after his previous expolits for Matlock when he became a firm favourite in 2006/07, and then last season winning the Evo-Stik First Division South golden boot award after scoring 34 times for Glapwell.

Nathan Joynes is not yet back in training after pulling a hamstring in the 1-1 draw at home to Bradford City, and trialist Tyeisse Nightingale lasted 40 minutes against Derby after scoring the opener before a foot injury forced him off. Atkins was hopeful that Nightingale could feature against Alfreton last night (Wednesday) and then in the final pre season game at Belper on Saturday. Atkins envisages having most of his players available, the only exception being Holmes who is still on holiday, but will be back for the curtain raiser at Ashton United seven days later.

Atkins reckons the game at Sheffield was the most useful warm up game so far. The Evo-Stik Northern Premier First Division South hosts could consider themselves unlucky to have lost after hitting the bar twice and being thwarted by another excellent goalkeeping display from Jon Kennedy.

"We were hit and miss having changed the team a lot to give all of the players their chance to impress" Atkins admitted.

"We didn't defend well as a team in the entire ninety minutes and would have lost the game if it wasn't for a great display by Jon Kennedy. We did though create some chances and could have scored more than the two we got. I thought it was a good game for us to have, a more physical one and more like we're going to face when the season gets under way. Getting down to the bread and butter was probably more use to us and I've learned more about us against Sheffield than I'd done in the previous three matches."