Summer signings lift expectations

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Matlock Town are expecting better things from a squad containing seven new summer signings, writes Ian Richardson.

Manager Mark Atkins, pictured, saw his side make national headlines last season with a run in the FA Trophy before finishing the campaign in seventeenth spot, prompting the Gladiators boss to reinforce over the summer.

With his revamp complete, Atkins is now is now calling on his side to be more aggressive in front of goal over the new Premier Division campaign, starting away to promoted Trafford on Saturday and then at home to Stocksbridge Park Steels next Tuesday night.

He said: "Obviously we'll be wanting to get our season off to a good start and two wins would be nice, I'm wanting us to be more aggressive in the way we play and then our quality and strength will come to the fore as we can hopefully score the goals to win the games."

"The lads we've brought in should add strength and depth to our squad, I felt we lacked physical strength last year so the likes of David Haggerty [signed from Buxton], Anton Foster [from Boston United] and Liam Needham [FC Halifax Town] will help us. Corey Gregory [signed from Stalybridge Celtic] has shown he has the guile that was also perhaps not there. He's already scored twice in pre-season.

"All of the new lads have settled in well and we're certainly looking better than we did at the end of last season. I'm expecting them to drive us forward providing power and experience. Four played leading roles at Conference North sides last year and hopefully they can supplement the lads we still have from last season."

Matlock's three other new boys are strikers Danny Holland from Bradford Park Avenue, a prolific scorer who returns for a second spell after a ten year break and Darryl Thomas from Belper Town. Midfielder Liam Gaughan has arrived from NCEL Premier Division outfit Armthorpe Welfare.

Atkins also revealed on Thursday that he had watched opening day hosts Trafford in friendly action a fortnight ago and is looking forward to what he expects will be a difficult encounter.

He added: "It'll be tough going away to a newly promoted side who'll be up for the game and loving every minute of it. They're a good side and know what they're doing but if we play like we're capable of doing, we'll be more than a match for them."

* Atkins will be without the services of last season's top scorer Lewis McMahon for the first few weeks of the season. The striker will miss the opening four matches through suspension after picking up his second red card of last term in the final home game against Worksop. Club captain James Lukic is not expected to feature for a number of weeks either after missing all of their pre-season campaign with knee trouble.