Matlock boss Mark Atkins has boosted his squad numbers by agreeing deals with six more players after Tuesday's 3-0 pre season friendly win at Sutton Town.
It is an acknowledgement that his squad was often low in numbers last term as several players battled through the pain barrier, turning out when being far from fully fit.
Kris Bowler is the most noteable recruit, returning to Causeway Lane after a three year absence at Alfreton Town who paid a significant four figure price for his signature.
Also returning to Matlock is winger Reuben Wiggins-Thomas, a former Chesterield trainee who played a handful of games under the stewardship of Phil Brown and Gareth Williams towards the end of the 2007/08 campaign.
An exciting signing could be attacker James Knowles who has shone in the pre season build up. The list is completed with full back Zeik Jenkins, midfielder Luke Marson and striker Jason Hardy.
"Kris is a good player and along with Colin Marrison, was one of my main targets, so I'm delighted that I've got them both on board" said a delighted Atkins. "James has also done very well for us and has great ability on the ball. Two or three of the trialists we're taking on will probably have to go out on loan to sustain their fitness levels and also to keep them playing as they realise they probably won't be involved in the first team squad on a regular basis. But despite that they've said that they want to join up with us and work hard for they've enjoyed it and that's very pleasing."
Atkins used the Sutton game as a chance for the triaists to show him what they could do.
"I was quite pleased with the performance and the result. It's difficult trying to impress when you're new to the squad and I thought that all of the trialists handled that pressure really well. We created a lot of chances in the first half and managed to get our full backs further forward quite well. It was a good workout. I've seen all of the trialists and seen what they are about and think that they could do a job for us if we needed them."
Marrison is yet to feature in Matlock's pre season friendly programme as he is coaching in America, but he will play in the game with Glapwell at Teversal on Sunday August 15 and Atkins is hoping to organise a behind closed doors fixture to give his new signing from Retford United more playing time with his team mates ahead of the big kick off on August 21.
Matlock gained a hugely impressive 2-2 draw with a Derby County side who included six players with first team experience at Causeway Lane on Friday evening.
Fans have been greatly encouraged by the standard of play in pre season as Matlock have adopted a passing game, one that Atkins believes can be successful in the hustle and bustle of the Evo-Stik League.
"It's been something that I've been keen to bring in for a while but when I first came and at the start of last season, other things like improving us defensively were at the top of my agenda" Atkins explained.
"I couldn't turn everything around when I first came. But now I feel it's time for us to expand our play by being able to keep the ball better and it's something we've been working on throughout pre-season. It can work well for us when the league games come around, for if we can play in that confident manner against the likes of Chesterfield and Derby County, then I feel we can do it in our league matches. There's still things for us to work on and we'll continue to do that in the next few weeks, but I want us to be playing a lot of football and the lads have responded excellently to what we've asked of them and it's been evident n the pre-season games."
The one fly in the ointment for Atkins is afoot injury sustained by striker Nathan Joynes in the 4-1 win at Armthorpe on July 13.
A hairline fracture was first feared but when the pot was removed last Friday, the injury was thought to be less serious. Joynes though, could be out for up to four weeks.
Matlock travel to Goole on Saturday before hosting Ilkeston Town at Causeway Lane on Tuesday night (7.30 pm).
There has already been a change to the Gladiators' Evo- Stik League Premier Division fixture list with Matlock's away game with FC United of Manchester being put back 24 hours and having a change of venue.
The match was originally scheduled for Gigg Lane, Bury on Saturday September 4, but Bury host Gillingham in the Coca-Cola League on that day. So after discussions between the clubs, Matlock will now travel to Stalybridge Celtic to face the rebels on Sunday September 5, with a 3 pm kick off.
