Matlock Town go into Saturday's home clash with league leaders Ashton United not only protecting a five game unbeaten run, but boosted by the extension of central defender Simon Sturdy's loan from Harrogate Town and the permanent signing of Stef Frost.
Sturdy will be at Causeway Lane for another month after impressing manager Mark Atkins, his fellow players and Matlock fans alike. Since his Gladiators debut which was in the 5-1 hammering at King's Lynn, Sturdy has used all of his experience in two spells at Harrogate, plus stints at Droylsden, Guiseley and at Eastwood, where he was a member of the Badgers' UniBond Premier Division title squad last season, to tighten up the Matlock defence which has not been breached in their last three games.
Atkins was delighted to keep York based Sturdy, albeit on a loan deal, particularly as he faced competition from fellow UniBond Premier Division clubs.
"I'm really pleased that we've managed to extend Simon's loan as it was touch and go with regards to the playing budget. But as a club we've managed to do things to make this happen and its a real boost for us, particularly as on Sunday and Monday two other clubs in our league wanted him. But having had the choice of three clubs he's decided he wants to stay with us which really says an awful lot for Matlock Town as a club, the players and the spirit we have here."
Sturdy's excellent form alongside team captain James Lukic has meant that player assistant manager Mark Haran has been unable to win a first team berth. Lukic has also blossomed alongside him and is again looking more like the commanding, confident leader he was before his move to Gainsborough Trinity in the summer of 2008.
20 years old Frost, who at 6'2" tall can operate either in midfield or up front, was on loan at Matlock from Notts County towards the end of the 2007/2008 campaign, but his career was tragically interrupted when he suffered a badly broken leg in a 3-0 home win over Buxton in a Good Friday derby. The Magpies kept Frost during his recuperation period before he moved to Mansfield Town and then joined Hucknall Town at the start of this season. The Yellows released him as a cost cutting measure a couple of weeks ago and he re-signed for Matlock on Tuesday night after playing in a private practice game against Chesterfield Academy, which Matlock won 1-0.
"He's a nice little player who passes the ball well, a willing worker who looks as if he knows what the game's all about. He did okay on Tuesday, he's another body for us as we haven't got the largest of squads at the moment, he's just lacking in match fitness at present" said Atkins.
The Town boss praised his squad after last weekend's 3-0 win against visiting Marine which was only the Gladiators second home league win of the season. Steve Warne's 44th minute header was quickly added to by Gareth Davies three minutes after the interval to put Matlock in the driving seat before substitute Dene Cropper's header rounded off the scoring fourteen minutes from time.
"It was a good three points. While we didn't play quite as well on Saturday as we'd done in our previous two or so games, we scored three good goals and we were solid both in defence and in midfield. We've been very hard to break down recently and that's where our results have come from. In the last three or four games we've stressed to the lads that we had to make ourselves hard to beat and after the King's Lynn game that has been our aim. There's been a brilliant response from the players and although Adam Sollitt made one or two saves against Worksop, teams haven't created a lot of chances against us. The players have shown just the kind of attitude we've been looking for, they've been tremendous in the way they've gone about their business and they've got their reward."
Atkins believes that Matlock can continue their good run against Ashton, who strangely for a top of the table outfit, arrive at Causeway Lane with a goal difference of minus one!
The Robins were a surprise package last season, being in or around the play off places for much of the campaign and they have carried on the good work this term. They have won six and lost three of their away games in the league so far, but have lost six out of eighteen in total in what is proving to be an ultra competitive division. A Matlock victory on Saturday could see Matlock move up to 13th from 15th after the Marine win meant a giant leap of four places, while the Tameside club might lose their top spot if the chasing Boston United win at home to Marine or Retford or Stocksbridge Park Steels win at Nantwich or Whitby respectively.
"Ashton have always been a good honest hard working side and they're not at the top of the league for nothing" Atkins warned. "So it'll be a really tough game but one that we should look forward to as it's a good game to have while we're playing well. We're five unbeaten and we want to keep that run going. We're at home and we want to win it. It's a matter of working hard as we've done recently and taking those chances like we did against Marine. Strangely enough in those games which we lost 1-0 at home we had far more chances but we didn't take them. Our finishing was top class last week. We've got enough in our locker to get the three points, provided we continue the good work."
Matlock do, however, have a number of injury doubts ahead of the weekend, including leading scorer Ross Hannah, whose groin injury returned in the lead up to the Marine game.
"We've got a few injuries to be fair" Atkins declared. "Ross is obviously the main one and we'll take a look at him at training on Thursday and it may be that we'll have to make a decision on Saturday. Ben Algar's got a muscle strain in his upper thigh, Lee Featherstone's got a knock on his knee, Liam King an ankle injury and Danny Wood's got a calf problem. They didn't take part on Tuesday to rest them but I'm hoping that at least three, if not all five will be fit although it could be touch and go for a couple of them. At least Dene Cropper, Scott Brough and Mark Haran got ninety minutes under their belts on Tuesday."
After Ashton's visit, Matlock face three successive cup games beginning on Tuesday when they welcome Mickleover Sports to Causeway Lane in the 2nd Round of the Derbyshire Senior Cup. Dick Pratley's troops have adapted well to life in the UniBond League Division One South this season after winning promotion as Koolsport Northern Counties East League Premier Division Champions. The Gladiators reached the final last season only to lose 1-0 to Buxton at Saltergate.
This season the final is again expected to be a one legged affair with the venue to be at Chesterfield or Derby. The County FA will decide once the finalists are known.
With a small squad at his disposal, Atkins is likely to field a strong side against Mickleover, although there might be one or two changes, depending on injuries as he aims to give squad members who have not had a regular game a chance to prove themselves.
"It's a cup tie against a side from a lower league that I'll obviously be wanting us to win and I expect us to win, but lower division sides have given us problems in cup games already this season so we'll not be taking Mickleover lightly and whoever comes in won't be weakening the side."
Atkins has been handed a two game touchline ban after being moved from the bench by the referee in the August Bank Holiday Monday home loss to Nantwich Town.
"I'll probably be with the fans on Saturday and Tuesday" Atkins joked. "We can use mobile phones so they'll get plenty of use."
The cup theme then continues for Town with the FA Trophy 3rd Qualifying Round trip to Witton Albion on Saturday week before they are back in Cheshire three days later at Nantwich in the 3rd Round of the UniBond League Challenge Cup.
*There will be a minute's silence before all UniBond League games on Saturday in memory of former League Chairman Peter Maude who sadly passed away while on holiday in Spain.
