Trophy heroes ready to bounce back

Matlock Town manager Mark Atkins is looking forward to seeing his side bounce back from their FA Trophy heartbreak over Christmas after hailing his side’s heroics against Luton, writes Ian Richardson.

The Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division Gladiators lost 2-1 to a last minute Hatters' winner but got back to winning ways on Tuesday night with a 3-1 victory over Gresley at the Moat Stadium to reach the last eight of the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

Atkins, pictured, hopes his Gladiators can get past either Carlton Town or Ossett Town in the Third Round of the Doodson Sport Cup next month after successfully getting back to work in the league with a busy schedule of festive fixtures coming up, starting this Saturday when they welcome FC United of Manchester to Causeway Lane.

Atkins said: "I'm so proud of them, they gave everything. When you sit down and look at things afterwards we've knocked out and outplayed a top Conference side in Mansfield and come within a minute of holding another.

“We couldn't go gung-ho especially with our top striker [Massiah McDonald] out, given Luton's attacking quality they might have been out of sight in an open game if we had. What pleased me the most was that we continued playing our football when we had the chance."

Atkins insists points are now the priority, with the Rebels followed by away games at Rushall Olympic on Boxing day and Worksop Town the following Saturday before they kick off 2013 with a home New Year’s Day derby against Buxton.

All four opponents have play off aspirations but Matlock have proved with their wins over Chorley and Marine that they're capable of beating clubs at the top end of the table, leaving their manager confident his team are ready for FCUM after Tuesday’s display saw them put the end of their Trophy dream behind them.

The Gladiators will also welcome back talismatic striker Massiah McDonald after his two match suspension. "It was good to get back to winning ways after losing the last three games," admitted Atkins. "It was a great response and apart from a couple of sloppy defensive moments we were superb and passed and moved the ball around really well to win convincingly."

Atkins accepts United, who beat an injury ravaged Gladiators side 4-0 at Bury back in August, will be tough. He added: "We say it every time we play them, they have a lot of quality and we need to be on top of our game, but on our day we can beat anyone and we need to transfer our FA Trophy form into upcoming games."

In other team news, full back Micky Harcourt starts a two match ban on Saturday while there are doubts about midfielders Glyn Cotton and Martin Foster following the Gresley win. Jon Kennedy is set to return in goal after work commitments saw Nick Buxton deputise for him in midweek. Phil Roe should also be back after a slight knock sustained against Luton led to him not being risked in midweek. Forward Jacob Hazel, who is on loan from Chesterfield and came on as a second half substitute against Luton, will also be in contention.

* Matlock's reserve side beat Glossop North End 3-0 to progress in the Derbyshire Divisional Cup (North) last weekend through strikes from Tom Laister, Danny Bateman and Jack Marples.