Reality check for reluctant Gladiators

If they didn't already know it, Matlock Town's joint managers Dave Rushbury and Martin Foster may now recognise the size of the task they face in reviving Matlock Town's EVO-STIK Northern Premier League fortunes, writes Ian Richardson.

After defeats in their last two league matches - 3-0 at title chasing Curzon Ashton on Saturday and a 2-1 home reverse to Rushall Olympic on Tuesday night - the Gladiators are still in 17th spot in the Premier Division table but the other clubs around them have made up ground, particularly Witton Albion who've beaten high-flying Ashton United and Buxton while they've been slipping up.

Rushbury, pictured, believes that all five goals conceded in the last week could, and should, have been avoided as he looked ahead to tough fixtures against play-off chasing Ilkeston FC and Ramsbottom United.

Rushbury said: "We've got to stop gifting the opposition goals and basically grow up. We conceded two goals from set pieces on Saturday, situations we'd been working on and that's not good enough.

"Then we concede another from a corner for Rushall's equaliser. We defended sloppily for the penalty at Curzon and what can you say about Rushall's winner? It was an absolute gift."

At least at the Tameside Stadium, Rushbury reckons Matlock were beaten by the better side.

"There's no doubt they were worth the win, we were in the game for an hour but we didn't really create anything and then as we've said, our defending was shocking," said the joint manager.

"I was happier on Tuesday, once we got things right after a slow start. Once we got in gear we began to look dangerous but the disappointment, apart from the manner in which we conceded, was that we didn't match them for enthusiasm and work rate and that's something you simply have to do at this level.

"You have to do the ugly things first before you can earn the right to play. Having got the lead we should have been able to protect it better and even build on it, but we weren't disappointed with our general second half performance."

The Robins at their New Manor Ground at the weekend are first up and Rushbury knows they face a massive task against a side who won 4-1 at runaway leaders Skelmersdale United last weekend.

He added: "They're a very good, strong and very fit team with a plethora of good players who can train every day. They've got the Indian sign over us so far this season but we must go there, work hard and cut out the mistakes to try and bring home a good result.

"We'll reassess how our lads are before then and work on our mistakes, but we know we'll have to play well on the day."

Image courtesy of www.derbyshiretelegraph.co.uk

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