Atkins vows to play it his way

Matlock manager Mark Atkins reckons he won’t be changing a winning game plan when his Gladiators head to Worksop Town on Christmas Saturday, writes Ian Richardson.

And unless the Tigers unpick his tactical plans, Atkins, pictured, is vowing to play the same system again at home to Buxton in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division on New Year's Day. A change of system back in October to playing one behind the front two in a 3-2 win over Stocksbridge Park Steels helped kick start Matlock’s campaign and their manager believes the system proved its worth again on Boxing Day when they won 4-0 away at Rushall Olympic.

Atkins said: "The system gives lads licence to roam. We have a lot of fluidity which means that opponents can't pick you up so easily. We have players who are adept at playing this system and the two front lads are quick.

"Pace gets you a long way in this league and with Lewis McMahon supporting them the system works well for us for he's very creative and can find space comfortably."

Matlock's biggest away win of the season over a side with the league's best defensive record ensured a merry Christmas at Causeway Lane but Atkins believes his team could have done better and can still improve after putting their fantastic FA Trophy run behind.

"It could have been six or seven as their goalkeeper's made two or three great saves and Joe Leesley was unlucky when he struck the post," insisted the Matlock manager. "I was pleased with the result obviously in difficult conditions. It was thoroughly deserved and four goals plus a clean sheet away from home is not to be sniffed at.

"In the first half I don't think we started too badly but then four or five of us weren't at the races. So I had a few words at half time as I felt we'd be wasting a great chance of claiming all three points if we didn't take it on and to be fair to the lads they bossed the second half. I was glad when Rushall missed their penalty for it was a big moment in the game."

Atkins’ one worry after Boxing Day is over skipper James Lukic who was helped off with a groin injury two minutes from time. He will be desperate to be fit to play at Worksop as the Buxton clash will mark his 600th appearance for the Gladiators. Lukic has some way to go to catch Matlock’s record appearances holder Mick Fenoughty who finished on 672.

Atkins has few doubts that Lukic will want to play. "We'll have to wait to see how he is because it's likely to stiffen up, knowing James he'll want to play if he can," said Atkins. "The 600 appearances thing is well in our minds and it would be fitting for him to make it against Buxton but we'll just have to see how things go."

Should Lukic not make it at Worksop, Laurence Gaughan is likely to be brought in as Micky Harcourt completes a two game ban. McDonald will have to sit the game out as Worksop did not want him to play against them and put the clause into the smallprint of the initial loan agreement which expires at the end of the month when McDonald then becomes a permanent Matlock player.

Atkins acknowledges that whoever plays, both Worksop and Buxton will provide Matlock with tough tests after both won on Boxing Day, the Tigers beating Grantham 3-2 at home and Buxton thrashing Stocksbridge Park Steels 7-0 at Silverlands.

He added: "Worksop are on a good run, they're a good side and with the players they've signed, including Sam Denton from Alfreton. They'll be up there like I expected and Buxton's also going well. The two games will be good ones for us and we'll see how near or far we are from challenging at the top end."