Role reversal threatens progress

Mark Atkins wants Matlock Town to take the form they showed in Tuesday night's narrow home defeat to Chorley in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's top flight into Saturday's FA Cup First Qualifying trip to Basford United, writes Ian Richardson.

The Gladiators lost 2-1 in the Premier Division at Causeway Lane and now face a potential banana skin on the road. After being the underdogs in three FA Trophy ties last term during their run to the last 16, the boot is firmly on the other foot this season for Atkins and his squad.

Moreover, the Gladiators were dumped out of the FA Cup at this stage by Belper Town after a replay twelve months ago and Atkins knows his side can't afford to make too many mistakes against a Basford side who won the East Midlands Counties League title last season to earn promotion to the NCEL Premier Division.

Atkins said: "It's a must get through game. Our attitude must be right and we must give a good performance. We've had Basford watched twice, it'll be a tough game given where it is and it being in the FA Cup. Basford as underdogs will have nothing to lose and we've got to show that they're two leagues below us in the pyramid and make our higher league standing show. If we can play like we did against Chorley then we should be okay."

Matlock will be especially wary of a familiar old face in the Nottingham side's line-up with former Gladiator TJ Nightingale likely to feature in attack. Nightingale scored twice for Eastwood Town against Matlock last season and he could be joined in the home side's forward line at Greenwich Avenue by former Notts County marksman Martin Carruthers. Former Sheffield United and Derby forward Lee Morris could also feature after he joined the club this week.