Wounded Gladiators challenged to win final battles

Matlock Town manager Mark Atkins believes two improved performances, a first win in nine league matches and news that missing players are on their way back could be the catalyst for the Gladiators ending the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League campaign on a high, writes Ian Richardson.

The ninth placed club are out of the race for the play-offs despite their 1-1 draw at Buxton last week and 2-0 home win over Whitby Town on Saturday but Atkins, pictured, is challenging his squad to win their final three games, starting with the Easter double of Nantwich Town away on Saturday before Buxton'd visit to the Autoworld Arena on Monday in the club's last home match of the campaign.

His side head into the Easter programme encouraged by the surprise return of full-back Micky Harcourt last weekend and leading scorer Danny Holland now free from suspension. The injured Jack Broadhead and skipper Liam Needham are both expected to be fit for the Buxton game if not the Dabbers, having failed fitness tests on hamstring and ankle injuries respectively prior to the Whitby win.

After being critical of his players and warning them that they were playing for their futures after the lack lustre home defeat to Witton Albion a fortnight ago, Atkins said: "They responded in exactly the right way and showed a great attitude and tremendous determination in both games. We did very well up at Buxton and should have won that game and then against Whitby we also played really well and although the sendings off spoiled the game, we fully deserved our three points.

"The clean sheet was important because we'd spoken before the game about being weak from set plays in recent matches which had cost us. We knew we'd got to cut this out and we defended quite well with what little Whitby threw at us.

"Getting Micky back last week was a big bonus and we have Danny available again while Liam and Jack should also feature. So we're getting bodies back in again and with Massiah McDonald now back in the groove, we'll be going all out for wins in the last three games.

"We always knew Massiah needed a couple of games but he looked far better on Saturday. He scored a great goal and could have ended up with a hat-trick. It's nice to have him back and let's hope it's a sign of things to come from him.

He added: "The games we've got left will be tough but we know with the lads we have at the club, we're more than capable of doing well."