Matlock's bid for silverware may have ended in failure as they went down by the only goal of the game to Buxton in Tuesday night's Derbyshire Senior Cup Final at Saltergate, but manager Mark Atkins reckoned it was a good Matlock performance.
"The result's disappointing but I thought we played very well. Overall we were the better team, we've created some very good chances and their goalkeeper's made four or five very good saves. A mistake has cost us the goal and the match and then after that we went downhill when I think fatigue set in, but we gave it a right go and we're very unlucky to have lost the game."
Buxton certainly went into the final as favourites, boosted by a quick league double over the Gladiators following their 2-0 win at Causeway Lane on March 11 with a 4-1 success in the return at the Silverlands on Good Friday.For their part, Matlock were hoping that they could repeat their 3-2 extra time triumph in the UniBond League Cup at Buxton in January.
Having been mauled by hat-trick hero Mark Reed at Easter, Matlock were seldom troubled by him on Tuesday a sthey looked altogether a stronger unit. In fact, had they taken some of their chances, Matlock might have been two goals to the good at the interval. But it was Buxton who again came out on top, but this time by the narrowest of margins, thanks to Gregg Anderson's 62nd minute strike.
"The mistake is just one of those things. It's happened and there's nothing that can be done to alter things now. But we've done very well this past four to five months, especially in the final six weeks of the campaign. Perhaps tonight's game was in the end one too many for us for we've put a hell of a lot of effort in to stave off relegation." continued Atkins who admitted that if he had been given the choice of winning the cup and going down, he would have chosen the opposite option.
"Staying in the Premier Division was the important thing at the end of the day. Yes we wanted to win the cup and I think it showed with the desire, energy and commitment th players showed in the final. But it would have been of little consolation had we won the cup but gone down ."
Atkins found time to compliment the Gladiators fans who he says have been "excellent" since he arrived and "gave the team superb backing" in the final.
"They certainly made themselves heard and the staff and players really appreciate their tremendous support. I'm just sorry that we couldn't reward them by bringing home the cup."
The Matlock supremo also praised the club's Management Committee who had backed hin through "trying times".
"They came good when I needed them by backing me with signings and the like, so I can't praise them enough. Now we've finished the season safe it's onwards and upwards for next season."
Atkins has already been making plans for the 2009/2010 campaign with new blood almost inevitable but he revealed he is prepared to give the current squad the chance to battle for their place along with any incoming players.
"I've spoken to all of the players. We've a lot on contract that we need to sort out but I've told them that I want them all to stay whether they be on contract or on non contract terms. They've indicated to me that they all want to stay and fight for their place which is really encouraging. They'll all start with a clean slate by the time the pre season comes around."
Atkins was presented with the UniBond League Premier Division's Fair Play Award for April by the League's Operations Manager Alan Alcock prior to Tuesday's final at Saltergate. Ironically, both Matlock and Buxton had identical records during the month but Matlock's earlier overall better disciplinary record swung the award in their favour.
And Atkins, along with his squad, club officials and fans will gather in the Gladiators Social Club on Friday night for the club's Annual Presentation Evening. The fans Player Of The Year Trophy, sponsored by the Matlock Mercury, the Players Player, the Leading Scorer Award, plus Clubman of the Year, the latter award being donated by the Matlock Town Supporters Club, will all be given out. Admission for the event is free with refreshments provided and an 8 pm start.
