Progress in the FA Cup, £3000 in prize money in the coffers, and the return of striker Nathan Benger. It's not been a bad week for Matlock Town despite underdogs Sleaford Town proving to be obstinate opponents before the Gladiators edged through in Tuesday night's replay.
Manager Mark Atkins was far from pleased with Saturday's initial 1-1 draw in the "home" tie at Belper, but was far happier, but still relieved as his team booked a 2nd Qualifying Round home meeting with Zamoretta Southern League (South and Midlands Division) promotion chasers Bury Town a week on Saturday.
He agreed it was a lethargic showing in the first Sleaford game which saw Jamie Jackson fire Matlock into a 60th minute lead, only for the ever dangerous Miles Hunter to level just four minutes later.
But in the replay the increased workrate and hunger shown by Matlock left him far happier, but he acknowledged that the Hereward United Counties League Premier Division outfit, who are two rungs below the Gladiators in the non league pyramid, had made life really tough for their UniBond opponents.
"Yes I'm relieved that we're through as over the two games we weren't at our best, although Sleaford deserve an enormous amount of credit for the determination they showed which made life terribly difficult for us" said Atkins. "But I think that over both games we deserved to go through, for with the game at 1-1 on Saturday, we missed a succession of good chances. Had one of those gone in then we'd have gone through at the first time of asking. But we'd had a bit of luck when their lad's hit the bar near the end and we managed to clear, and they hit the bar again in the replay."
Atkins was most upset with the Gladiators attitude on Saturday, but reckoned it was a far more determined Matlock which took the field on Tuesday.
"I think we did underestimate them a bit and that's something you can't afford to do at any level of the game. We were slow out of the blocks on saturday and never really got going. We stressed to the players that it would be like their (Sleaford's) cup final but the message didn't seem to sink in. But I felt more confident in the replay that the lads would put things right. I wanted them to show more passion and I definitely got that. It's a tough place to come to, what with the wind and the poor pitch, plus the fact that we could have been on the end of an upset. But I was pleased with the way the lads reacted. The front two did well and need to keep doing what they did well tonight in getting behind the opposition defenders with their pace."
Atkins also praised central defensive partnership Mark Haran and James Lukic, who while building a useful partnership in defence, have contributed four of Matlock's fourteen goals (two for each) in competitive action so far this season.
"In the last three or four games both have been outstanding" Atkins claimed. "They're getting more used to one another now, especially as they're getting fitter after knocks and they hardly played together in our pre-season campaign. If they can continue like this it'll give us a very solid base to work on."
Briefly looking towards the game with Suffolk based Bury, Atkins reckons that Matlock will have learned good lessons from their close tussles against Sleaford which will put them in good heart to face a side in the top six with just one defeat so far this season.
"It'll be a tough tie especially when you look at their result against King's Lynn in the last round when they won 2-0. Sleaford was very much of a wake up call for our players, and now they've got the boost of a home tie and we've got to ensure that we're ready for it."
But before the cup tie, Matlock face two important league games. On Saturday they travel to newly promoted Stocksbridge Park Steels, who regained the league leadership with a 1-0 midweek win at Burscough and are managed by former Gladiators boss Gary Marrow. Then on Tuesday, Frickley Athletic, currently one place below and a point behind 18th placed Matlock visit Causeway Lane.
"Stocksbridge have made a great start and are on a roll having scored plenty of goals so we know that we need to be at our best. Frickley always give you a tough battle but if we can get our fans behind us like they've been in the away games this season when they've been brilliant, plus with bthe injuries beginning to clear, then we'll be looking to push on and win some games in the league."
The return of Benger has been welcomed by Atkins and fans posting on the club's forum on the club website. This is now Benger's third spell at Causeway Lane, having originally joined them from local side Wirksworth Town in 2006/07 before leaving to have spells with Spalding United and Stocksbridge Park Steels at the beginning of the following campaign. But at Christmas that season, he was back at Matlock making a scoring debut in the home Boxing Day derby with Ilkeston Town.
Benger left to join Glapwell during the build up to this season but was not enjoying life there, so he jumped at the chance of a return to Matlock when the opportunity arose.
"Nathan has re-signed for the club and we're very pleased. We didn't want him to go in the first place and his return gives us another option up front. There's no hard feelings, he made a mistake by going but he's back, we're delighted, for he's a big asset to us" said Atkins.
Hopes of Staveley MW's leading marksman Lee Gregory also arriving at Causeway Lane appear to have hit the buffers. Gregory asked for a move from the Inkersall Road club following the departure of manager Darren Bland and was wanted by both Alfreton Town and Stalybridge Celtic last sesson.
"We put seven days notice in for him as per rules but he's joined Mansfield Town" said Atkins. "However there are a few things up in the air, nothing concrete relating players coming here and it's a matter of seeing how things go".
Former European Cup Winner Alex Stepney is the main attraction, along with comedian Mike King at the Gladiators next Sportsmans Dinner on October 29 at the New Bath Hotel. Stepney played in goal for Manchester |United when the Red Devils beat Benfica 4-1 at Wembley in 1968 to become the first English club to lift the famous trophy. Tickets are priced at £35 each or £315 for a table of nine and can be obtained from Commercial Manager Tom Wright on 07850 065968 or at any home game, and by visiting the Club Shop (tel 01629 583866).
