Gladiators told to toughen up

Matlock Town manager Mark Atkins has warned his side that they'll need to be at the top of their game on Saturday when fellow Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division strugglers Stocksbridge Park Steels arrive in town with a new manager in charge, writes Ian Richardson.

The bottom-of-the-table Steels will head for the Reynolds Stadium with former assistant manager Darren Schofield at the helm after he took over on Friday following the departure of Chris Willcock.

Matlock boss Atkins said: "We want to win every game we play and Saturday's will be no different. There's no easy games in this league and Stocksbridge will be up for it, so we've got to make sure that we're ready to get the job done."

Atkins says one of his biggest concerns is in defence. The Gladiators have conceded more than anyone else in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division - twenty one goals have flown past goalkeeper Jon Kennedy in their eight league matches. They've let in three goals in each of their last three games and so far have conceded three or more in six out of ten league and cup outings.

"We can't go on conceding goals like we're doing at the moment," admitted Atkins, who pointed to their 3-3 midweek draw at Grantham Town as clear evidence that they need to tighten up fast.

"We went to Grantham on Tuesday and scored three goals. If you score three in an away game you should be coming home with three points. All of the goals were poor ones, two from set pieces and then for their third Jon Kennedy has held his hands up and said sorry. These things happen but as a unit we've got to defend much better for we'll continue to make life difficult for ourselves if we keep gifting gaols to the opposition.

"We've got to stand up and be counted defensively and that means everyone. We did it for some of the time but when we didn't we were punished and that will continue to happen if we don't sort ourselves out. The last two performances have been much better but we've still leaked goals. If I have to change personnel to solve that then I will."

Both clubs' FA Cup demises has seen Saturday's game slotted in and Atkins believes it's a case of opportunity knocks. For Matlock there's the chance to reach double figures in league points and move up to 14th spot.

The manager is looking forward to the clash and happy with his developing midfield after signing Matt Hamshaw last Friday and former Belper midfielder Glyn Cotton from Frickley Athletic on Monday night.

Atkins said: "Matt's a really good signing for us, he showed his quality plus he scored a fabulous goal despite not being fully fit. When Glyn played for Frickley against us he was the best player on the pitch, he has energy and desire so he should be a real asset for us.

Hamshaw has over 300 Football League appearances to his name for Sheffield Wednesday, Stockport County, Notts County, Mansfield Town, and last season at Macclesfield Town. Work issues saw him miss the Grantham game but he is back in the squad for the Stocksbridge clash. Cotton was impressive and scored Frickley's goal in their 3-1 defeat by Matlock on September 4.

At Grantham Lewis McMahon netted their first two goals to take his tally for the season to five and transfer listed Lee Ellington's superb header earned the Gladiators their point. Despite the goals the Matlock chief is still hoping to strengthen his attack after revealing that he'd lost out one target last week.

"I was hoping to bring in 6'5" striker Tom Denton in on loan from Alfreton but Worksop outpriced us so he's gone there," said Atkins. "But I'm still looking to bring a striker in whether it be a loan or permanent move."

On the injury front Atkins revealed that winger Ben Algar is 'itching to get back' after the removal of his protective wear for his broken metattarsal. Midfielder James Ashmore is understood to be between three and four weeks away from a return while Bradley Grayson may be back within a week to a fortnight.