Gladiators missing defenders for Vics clash

Matlock Town could have a complete back four on the sidelines this weekend as they travel to league leaders Northwich Victoria.

Just two weeks ago, Andy Preece's men inflicted a 2-0 home defeat on the Gladiators in a game when Matlock boss Mark Atkins was critical of his players saying four or five of them "weren't at the races."

"You can't afford that against a side of the quality of Northwich" said Atkins after the match. Clearly he will be hoping that his players have took on board the lessons learned from that first match so as to avoid the Vics inflicting a league double over them and a third successive league defeat.

"Northwich are a good side, probably the best we've faced so far this season. It's going to be a difficult game but we now know the way they play. We never competed in the first game so this time we'll be looking to show people we can compete and it's an opportunity for us to show that we're a good side ourselves."

The complete defence which faced Chasetown in their opening home game of the season looks like being missing at the Victoria Stadium.

Right back Micky Harcourt is serving a one match ban after his two yellow cards against the Vics in the first meeting. Left back Lee Featherstone picked up a groin injury against Stamford last weekend and is rated extremely doubtful. Captain James Lukic is still struggling with a knee ligament injury and is set to miss out again while Simon Sturdy has a long standing back problem.

Adam Yates and Oscar Radford seem likely to continue in central defence while Kris Witcombe could get a rare start at right back with Ben Algar filling Featherstone's boots on the left.

Atkins was pleased with the 3-0 home FA Trophy victory against a Stamford side lying third in Evo-Stik NPL First Division South. Matlock cruised into the next round thanks to three fantastic goals as Ben Hunter in his first start, Algar and Radford found the target. Stamford contributed partly to their own downfall by having strikers Gary King and Sam Mullarkey sent off.

"It was a very good performance and I was very pleased with us defensively" said Atkins, "We were never in any trouble and once the first goal went in we were comfortable. The sendings off helped us but we played with two wingers who both did very well and scored two fine goals. They put in some quality balls."

The Town chief was also full of praise for on loan Doncaster Rovers defender Oscar Radford who capped a man of the match display with a ferocious blockbuster for the Gladiators' third goal.

"Oscar's done great and it's good for us that he can play at both centre half and left back for it increases our options defensively. He's proved to be a very good signing and we were all delighted for him when he scored that fantastic goal as he deserved it for his overall performance."

The return of Steve Warne proved to be a welcome boost after the midfielder had spent the last five weeks on loan at Belper Town. He was given an instant recall and was named as skipper.

"Steve gave us that energy and drive that I think we've probably been missing recently" Atkins concluded. "The spell on loan at Belper has obviously done him a lot of good and he'll hopefully now go from strength to strength."

Leaving Matlock on a temporary basis is experienced central defender Mark Haran who has joined Ossett Town in a bid to regain full fitness after a career threatening knee injury he picked up twelve months ago. If his knee holds up to playing competitive games for the Yorkshire side, a recall could well be on the cards at Matlock.

Matlock's reward for beating Stamford is a tough trip to Hednesford Town, who like the Gladiators, have previously won the FA Trophy. Matlock lifted the cup with a record breaking 4-0 win at Wembley against Scarborough in 1975, while the Pitmen's success came at Villa Park in 2004.

"It'll be tough but we played there and got a point and we've seen them a couple of times. There's nothing you can do about the draw, you've got to knuckle down and get on with it. we'll go there fancying our chances of getting through" said Atkins.

Matlock had better fortune when the draw for the 3rd Round of the Doodson Sport Cup was made last week. Mickleover Sports will visit the Reynolds Stadium on Wednesday November 16. The next home game though is against Stocksbridge park Steels on Wednesday night (2 November).