Injuries not ideal preparation for Chester visit

Injuries to key players have all come at once with five being affected, not the ideal preparation for Matlock's toughest home test of the season so far when champions elect and current league leaders Chester visit on Saturday.

Matlock have collected seven out of the last nine points on offer, they are now in a comfortable looking tenth spot in the table, but the recent upturn in form has come at a cost.

Midfielder Gareth Davies aggravated a knee injury in the 1-0 home win against Nantwich Town a fortnight ago. Then last weekend influential captain James Lukic played for over an hour in the 3-1 success against foot of the table Burscough , forcing him out of the midweek 1-1 draw at Chasetown. The worst news came from that final fixture as full back Micky Harcourt limped off with a suspected broken bone in his foot after only ten minutes to be followed later in the first half by leading scorer Ian Holmes, who damaged his side following a challenge by former Derby, Aston Villa and England midfielder Lee Hendrie who was making his debut for the Scholars. Then in the dying seconds, Lee Featherstone came off with a groin strain.

"It could well be that we'll be without all of them on Saturday, it's far from ideal and I'll have to see how we're fixed nearer to the time but it could well be that we'll have to bring some players in ahead of Saturday" manager Mark Atkins said.

Transfer deadline day is on Thursday 29 March in any case, so this rush of injuries could well force Atkins' hand a little more strongly now. With the injury situation and both Kris Bowler and deputy goalkeeper Nick Buxton being unavailable in midweek, the Gladiators took a squad of just fourteen down to Chasetown.

Chester's visit will represent Matlock's toughest home test of the season so far and will attract their best home crowd of the campaign as around 800 visiting fans are expected. Matlock have the fifth best home record in the division, collecting thirty one points from their total of forty six through nine wins and four draws, with four home defeats.

" Basically we've nothing to lose on Saturday" Atkins continued. "It's a challenge we're looking forward to. We know Chester are a very good side, there'll be a good crowd in, it's a challenge we'll relish and we're determined to give it our best shot whatever side we put out."

Chester beat the Gladiators 4-0 at the Deva Stadium in November, although two of the goals came in stoppage time at the end of the game. Matlock fans will be hoping that their resilience at home will again come to the fore as three wins on the trot at the Reynolds Stadium has seen them ease their way out of being dragged into the relegation picture.

As news filtered through of former striker Ross Hannah being given an extension to his contract by Bradford City and then being loaned out to Blue Square North FC Halifax, a current attacker hit the headlines.

Liam Wilkin, signed from Baris NCEL Premier Division Winterton Rangers in January, went on as a substitute for the second half against Burscough with the score at 0-0. Within eleven minutes two incisive passes had led to goals for Ben Algar and Lewis McMahon, who also hit the third to give him a personal tally of four goals in four games in his loan spell from Gainsborough Trinity.

The only thing missing from Wilkin's performance was a goal which nearly came when McMahon set him up eight yards out near the end. But Wilkin's control let him down at the vital moment.

But a first competitive goal did come for Wilkin at Chasetown as he headed an exquisite chipped pass from Algar over the goalkeeper to give Matlock a 20th minute lead.

"Liam changed the game for us against Burscough" said Atkins. "I was disappointed we weren't in front with the chances we had, but I also felt we needed something different and Liam got in behind their defence with his pace, similar to how Ross did when he was with us. We've missed that, I wanted to see what Liam could do with next season in mind. We didn't fight too hard to keep hold of TJ (Nightingale) because we knew we'd got Liam ready and waiting. Unfortunately his work commitments have meant he's only been able to train once with us since signing, so to be fair to him we've had to bring him on gently. He did very well on Saturday and got his chance from the start at Chasetown where he got his first goal and had a clever back heel cleared off the line shortly before he scored."

Better news on the injury front has come with cameo substitute appearances for striker Nathan Joynes in the last two games. Joynes has recently undergone knee surgery but has recovered swiftly and his inclusion is a major bonus considering he was initially expected to be out until next season.

Fans should arrive earlier than usual on Saturday to avoid congestion at the turnstiles which open at 12 noon to allow fans to watch the televised football in the Social Club beforehand.

Matlock's next Sportsmans Dinner takes place in the Social Club this coming Thursday (march 29). Guest speakeris former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper mark Crossley who appears with top comedian Steve Womak. Tickets are £35 and they can be obtained from Chairman Tom Wright on 07850 065968.