Matlock boss Mark Atkins hailed his side's display in the 1-1 draw at high flying Boston United on Tuesday night as their best of the season and then challenged his squad to consistently perform to the high standards set at the Jakemans Stadium.
Dene Cropper's 64th minute header cancelled out Mark Camm's opener for the home side fifteen minutes earlier, as Matlock, down to the bare bones, and with Cropper the only recognised striker featuring in the squad, fought valiantly to deservedly earn their point.
"That was our best display of the season, everyone was fully committed, giving one hundred per cent. Boston are an excellent side but we were on our game. Our plan was to get amongst them, pressurise them and then play our football and it worked a treat. Having nullified them we created a good number of chances and actually I'm a little disappointed we've not come away with all three points."
After losing at home 1-0 to a last minute Ossett Town goal last weekend, few people gave Matlock much chance of avoiding defeat in Lincolnshire, especially when leading scorer Ross Hannah was forced to sit out the game with an abducta injury. Atkins adopted a 4-5-1 formation with Cropper as the lone striker with Danny Wood coming into a five man midfield in the only change from the Ossett line up. But even if Hannah had been fit, Matlock would have played this way.
"Whether Ross was fit or not, I'd have used the same formation as I thought it was the best way not only to stop them playing, but at the same time be best for us on the night" admitted Atkins. "It gave the likes of Liam King to get forward and play off a sitting midfield player. I can't praise the players enough for their workrate, application and the skill they showed. Now they've set a standard and it's a standard I want us to play to every week. If we can do that, then we'll not be far away."
Matlock actually dropped a place to eighteenth in spite of their valuable point on Tuesday, but the performance has lifted all at the club after the Ossett result which in essence was three points given away. They were punished by a last gasp Adam Clayton winner for not taking some very good chances earlier in the match.
"To lose at home is always disappointing. I thought we were excellent in the first half, in full control and in fact we controlled the whole ninety minutes, but if you don't take your chances then the pressure mounts and they've scored from their one shot of the second half. I was disappointed with our defending for the goal but on the whole we've done very well at the back, so it was just one of those things."
Attention now turns to the FA Cup with Matlock facing a home tie against United Counties Premier Division Sleaford Town on Saturday. The Greens might be two divisions below the Gladiators in the non league pyramid, but Atkins says he is treating their challenge seriously.
"We've had them watched and from the report we received, we definitely won't be taking them lightly" said Atkins. "FA Cup ties can be difficult games and they'll be wanting to claim a scalp by knocking us out and we've got to ensure that doesn't happen."
Matlock have a history of FA Cup embarrassments over the years as the likes of Walsall Wood, Malvern Town, Dudley Town and Arnold Town have all won FA Cup ties at Causeway Lane.
And the bad news for Town fans is that Hannah is rated extremely doubtful, but Danny Wood, who limped off at half time at Boston with a hamstring problem is expected to feature. Midfielder Matty Thorpe, who missed the Ossett and Boston matches through work commitments, is also likely to return to the squad.
"It looks like Ross may well struggle for Saturday and we withdrew Danny at half time at Boston more as a precaution which now gives him a real chance of playing in the cup tie" said Atkins who is beavering away with squad changes at present.
As expected, Paul Riley has moved to Eastwood Town and played the last twelve minutes of the Badgers 4-2 home win against Blyth Spartans last weekend. Matty Caudwell has joined Retford and Ashley Foyle confirmed his move to Worksop Town, but Atkins says new players are expected in the coming few days, with rumours rife that Nathan Benger will be returning to the Lane after moving to Glapwell only a month ago.
The Town supremo hoped to sign a striker late last week but was thwarted at the last moment, but the Gladiators have submitted seven days notice of approach to another forward and also Atkins is hoping to bring in a player on loan from a Football League club, although this will not probably happen until next week.
"I didn't want to lose Paul Riley" insisted Atkins. "But he's not been at his best since I came to the club and people had said to me how well he was doing prior to his knee injury. I wanted him to stay but I kept my promise that if another club came in for him then I'd tell him about it and let him make his own mind up. Eastwood came in, he's gone there and he goes wiyth my best wishes. He's a great lad, a good trainer, and I've not a bad word to say about him. Part of the reason comes down to the budget but I understand we've retained his UniBond League registration. Matty Caudwell has been struggling making games and training through his work and wanted a move closer to where he lives in Worksop."
Atkins though was angry with winger Jamie Jackson, who missed both of the last two games after tweaking a groin in the recent home defeat by Nantwich Town.
"I've been trying to get hold of him for two days ahead of the Boston game to check on his fitness, but he never got back to me until he finally texted back at 12.45 pm on Tuesday saying he wasn't fit. At the moment I've no idea whether he'll be fit for the Sleaford game, and basically it's not good enough. It's something I'll have to address., but I feel the fans should be aware of what is happening."
Youngster Darren Cartwright, from the Matlock under 19 squad, only did himself good in Atkins' eyes following his first Town appearance as a substitute at Boston.
"He's been fantastic in pre season and was fantastic at Boston and he's a lad I'd have no qualms about playing, although we just need to now build up his fitness for playing at this level for a full ninety minutes bearing in mind he's so young. He did very well against a very good side and he's definitely a player I think could get even better, given the right encouragement."
Matlock return to league action at home to FC United of Manchester on Tuesday night, subject to both clubs' FA Cup results at the weekend. A draw for the Gladiators against Sleaford will see them visiting Lincolnshire on Tuesday. United travel to Sheffield so a draw for the rebels, coupled with a winner at the Lane will see Matlock without a midweek fixture.
