Matlock boss Mark Atkins reckons the Gladiators can beat the drop, particularly after putting together an unbeaten run which is now seven matches, with four of those coming in the league.
After frustrating but encouraging 2-2 draws at Prescot, Ilkeston and Kendal, Matlock finally broke their duck in the league under Atkins with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Leigh Genesis in the battle of the bottom two at Causeway Lane last weekend.
Matlock went into the crucial must win game as the basement club,but their first three point haul in thirteen games saw them jump to fourth bottom spot. While there is still much hard work to be done, suddenly Matlock's prospects of retaining their UniBond Premier Division status look a fair bit healthier.
And for Atkins there was a huge sense of relief after late equalisers in the Ilkeston and Kendal games had denied him that first league win.
"I was definitely relieved, but that relief was for everyone at the club for it was a very important win with Leigh being so close to us at the bottom with games in hand" Atkins admitted.
But he agreed that a somewhat uncharacterisic slow start could have cost his side dear before Jamie Jackson's 20th minute opener appeared to settle the Gladiators' nerves.
"After the first goal we were always in control and there was never any question about us not winning. But I was concerned with our start. In the previous three or four games we'd started quickly and imosed ourselves on the opposition. That didn't happen on Saturday and I was shouting from the touchline as we needed to get everyone going. But give Leigh a bit of credit. They came at us and we were perhaps fortunate not to fall behind, but fortunately we got that first goal and then we started to play with a good deal more confidence."
All of Matlock's three injury doubts, Jackson, striker Dene Cropper and left sided midfielder Paul Riley returned to the side after sitting out the 1-0 midweek Derbyshire Senior Cup quarter final win at Glossop North End. But when the win was assured, all three were sensibly withdrawn by Atkins.
"To be fair Jamie Jackson was only about 70 to 75% fit but he was willing to give it a go. Dene Cropper was struggling at half time and we were only going to give him ten to fifteen minutes more but once he had scored to make it 4-0 it was game over and not worth the risk of aggravating the injury. Paul riley also came off for the same reason. None of them were 100% but we considered them fit enough to do a job and so it proved."
Matlock remained in 19th spot after Tuesday night's games which saw newly installed bottom markers Leigh lose again, 2-0 at home to FC United of Manchester, and their fifth on the trot without finding the net. The other game affecting the relegation issue saw Whitby Town gain a vitally important 4-2 win at Prescot Cables, to keep the Valerie Park men a point and two places behind the Gladiators with a game in hand.
Atkins believes Matlock need to continue to concentrate on their own results which he believes can see them to safety.
"We can't do much about other results. If we can win enough games then we'll be okay and I'm confident we can stay up. I wouldn't have taken the Matlock job if I didn't think we could stay up. The side had quality in certain areas and I've seen enough now to be more confident with what I've seen from them and the players that have come in to the club. The new lads have moulded into the set up in the way we were wanting them to. It's not just a matter of getting new lads in, they have to make a difference to us and they have done."
Matlock are not now in league action again until Tuesday February 10 when they have a rearranged trip to new league leaders and title favourites Eastwood Town. While the enforced break from grappling for league points wsas initially frustrating, giving their fellow relegation rivals the opportunity to increase the pressure on the Gladiators to gain favourable results when hostilities recommence, Atkins has seen a silver lining.
Speaking on Tuesday night 24 hours before the UniBond Challenge Cup clash against Worksop Atkins said
"Our initial reaction was one of frustration but having thought about it, it might not be such a bad thing. Not playing this Saturday gives our injuries a chance to heal up and Lee Featherstone picked up a knock in the last game which made him doubtful for the Worksop game. We had a thin squad up at Glossop and it looks like being the same against Worksop but we'll see how things turn out and it's just a matter of taking each game as it comes."
The winners will visit Whitby Town on Saturday week in the last eight.
Meanwhile midfielder Simon Harrison looks set to join Derbyshire rivals Ilkeston Town and he will make a swift return to Causeway Lane when the Robins visit for Matlock's next home game on Valentine's Day.
Atkins is still looking to strengthen his squad having a couple of irons in the fire, but he reiterated his desire to ensure they would be right for Matlock Town.
"I was out at a game on Tuesday night and will be going to another game on Saturday. But I'm not going to go out and get players who'll just sit on the bench and pick their money up."
Atkins has arranged a private friendly against Rossington next Tuesday when he will give playing time to those squad members who have not featured greatly in recent weeks, including winger Rob Lund who joined Matlock from Grantham Town a fortnight ago.
"I'm grateful to Rossington for the game which will be a private fixture as we're playing at Rossington School where they train as their ground isn't available. Rob Lund and other squad members will be involved and it'll keep everyone's fitness going. As well as this game the lads will have two training sessions during that week."
Record Breaking UniBond League Sponsorship Deal.
Long term UniBond League sponsors Henkel Ltd have delighted UniBond officials and clubs by agreeing to extend their current deal by a further two seasons to June 2011 making it a record breaking SEVENTEEN seasons association with the Northern Premier (UniBond) League.
Original negotiations were handled by UniBond Chief Executive Duncan Bayley back in 1994 and Mr Bayley has managed the UniBond sponsorship on the League's behalf ever since.
"I'm absolutely thrilled by the two year extension which reflects the success of the partnership and the excellent working relationship between us over the past fifteen years" said Bayley.
"As demonstrated by their current support of the ongoing "Boots For Africa" project, League Sponsors Henkel have always been proactively involved with the operation of the project and I'm confident that all UniBond clubs will unite as one to show their appreciation of the confidence now shown in the League by UniBond under the difficult economic climate that now prevails. On behalf of the League, I'd like to express our thanks to the Henkel Management team of Steve Collins, Barry Jiggins and Steve Jenkins who have been significant contributors in their support of the League over the years to ensure the sponsorship's continued success."
