Highs and lows but Hoole is happy

After topping the EVO-STIK League's top flight table after the opening day's action following a 4-0 home win over Lancaster City, Hoole's Gladiators were forced to come from behind to secure s 2-2 draw at Scarborough Athletic on Tuesday night.

The Gladiators did fight back from 2-0 at the Flamingo Land Stadium and Hoole, pictured, told the EVO-STIK League Premier Division club's website: "For 70 minutes Scarborough worked harder than us, they showed more discipline, they showed more structure and were better all over the park. We made the changes at half-time after a few harsh words but within seconds Scarborough had scored again and our words seemed to be out of the window, but, a game lasts 90 minutes and as the game wore on we showed more bottle and heart.

"Scarborough had us watched on Saturday and to their credit they stopped us playing from the back so then we had to go more direct. There's nothing wrong with going direct, it can't be pretty football all the time and Scarborough succeeded in stopping us from playing. I'm not saying it was a deserved point, probably more of a smash and grab but in those last 20 or 25 minutes.

"We got involved and we ended up playing the ball about like I know we can. We gifted Scarborough both of their goals at the worst possible times and that annoyed me but there again I'm over the moon with the way we fought our way back to take something from the game."

Hoole, whose side are without a game this weekend with scheduled opponents Bamber Bridge playing in the preliminary round of the FA Cup, had no complaints about the win over Lancaster, Matlock's highest ever on an opening day to a Northern Premier League season.

"We made a great start in beating Lancaster, it was a bit nervy at the beginning and we needed to adjust to our new style football but then we dominated and deserved everything we got from the game," declared the Gladiators boss. "Jamie Jackson was superb with three assists and his goal. He's really enjoying his football at the moment, we took him off at Scarborough as he was feeling his hamstring slightly."

Matlock are next in action at Gainsborough Trinity on Bank Holiday Monday and Hoole added: "Like Scarborough, it'll be another tough game on Monday but we're looking forward to it."

Images courtesy of Jez Tighe & @Matlock_TownFC/Twitter

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