"Let's keep the run going" was the message from boss Mark Atkins to his Matlock Town players after a fourth consecutive league and cup victory had seen them book their place in the Cawarden Derbyshire Senior Cup Final for the second successive year.
Before last weekend's 6-0 humiliation of basement side Durham City, two more clean sheets had been kept in the 3-0 home wins over play off chasing Kendal and the single goal success at struggling Ossett Town. Then on Tuesday night they edged out underdogs New Mills in the Senior Cup by the odd goal in three and now face UniBond First Division South neighbours Belper Town in the final.
"Those three league wins have now put us in a good mid-table position in the league and it's all down to the players. Before the Kendal game I told them I wanted them to play in a certain way and they've done everything I wanted, they've been brilliant. But now I want us to push on, the players are certainly capable of carrying on the good run. Lets try and get up that table as far as we can and lift the cup as well."
The Durham match was a case of safely negotiating a potential banana skin. It took Matlock 38 minutes to break the deadlock through Steve Warne,before 47th minute and 49th minute strikes from leading scorer Ross Hannah was added to by Nathan Joynes, Danny Wood and Liam King to complete the six goal rout.
"We didn't want to be the team which came unstuck, and I reckon someone will further down the line" said Atkins.
"We had plenty of chances, took six of them and could have scored a lot more. We've played far better than that but there was a lot of pressure to win it and also to win well and I thought the lads coped with that pressure very well. it made it nine out of nine points and that's what i'd asked for."
Vodkat North West Counties League Premier Division New Mills certainly ensured that Matlock did not have an easy route to the final.
"We're delighted to be there for New Mills have some good players who are well experienced at Conference North level. Our energy levels had been high in the previous three games and we had to be on our mettle to get through. But the lads again went into the game fully committed, they were desperate to get to the final, not only for themselves, but for the football club. I never thought we were in any danger of losing the game even when we went down to ten men" reflected Atkins.
Matlock now hope to take one step further than last season when they lost by the only goal of the game to Buxton at Saltergate. The final has been provisionally set for Tuesday April 20, either at Saltergate again or at Pride Park.
The Gladiators now face a Bassetlaw double, travelling to third placed Retford United on Saturday before returning home to face Worksop Town on Tuesday night.
Atkins gave words of warning and encouragement ahead of Matlock's first ever trip to Cannon Park.
"They had a good home win last Saturday (6-1 against Burscough) and I've seen them three times this season and I've got to say that they're the best team going forward I've seen. But, we've been solid defensively in the last four games and if we can play to our potential we're capable of going there and getting a result."
Former Matlock winger Matty Caudwell could feature for Retford, while on Tuesday former Gladiators attacker Jamie Jackson is expected to line up against his former colleagues having joined the Tigers from Sheffield FC this week. Jackson was released by Atkins in October.
"It's a home game and I go out there expecting us to win at home, but again we'll need to work hard. Worksop have had a bit of money put into them recently and signed two or three new players. It'll be nice to see Jamie, the lads know how he likes to play and will be looking forward to facing him."
Matlock have slight doubts over Hannah and Wood who came off against New Mills with niggles to the hamstring and ankle respectively. There are one or two other "knocks and bruises" but Atkins is likely to rely on the sixteen on duty in midweek.
One of the recent success stories for Matlock has been defender Adam Yates who is currently keeping the more experienced mark Haran out of the starting eleven.
The 20 year old impressed Atkins when he lined up against Matlock for Shirebrook Town in last season's County Cup semi final, and the Town chief quickly swooped to sign him. In the early part of the season he had to be a content with a place on the substitute's bench but after fighting his way into the side in October, he has not looked back.
"Adam's done very well. It was hard to throw him in at centre half at first but we played him at full back and since Simon Sturdy's departure and Mark Haran's injury, we've moved him into the centre and he's had some brilliant games. He's been prepared to bide his time, he never questions anything. He just gets on with the job in hand and considering he was playing in the Northern Counties East League this time last season, he's done tremendous."
There was a word of praise also for the supporters and club officials.
"We've had a tough ten days and come out of it with flying colours, so I'd like to thank everyone, in whatever form, for their support. We could though do with more fans through the turnstiles. These players are putting everything they can in with their performances on the field and want to do well for the Matlock fans, so I would appeal to the Matlock public to get down and support your team and bring a mate or relative along with you as well."
