MATLOCK Town boss Mark Atkins says the Gladiators must "stop making mistakes and giving away stupid goals" if they want to beat the drop.
Town face Frickley Athletic for the second time in a fortnight this Saturday, and Atkins will be keen to avenge the defeat he suffered in his first match as boss.
“We know what they're like,” he said.
“They'll be big and strong and will do ever
ything in their power to stop us from playing and impose their game on us. But we must stand up and be counted and battle hard.
“If we can do that then we can win the game.
“We need everyone pulling in the right direction and I've had that as I've had a good reaction from everyone at the club since I came here. I'm enjoying it.
“The fans too have been good and it was nice to see them clapping the players off on Saturday.
“In the situation we're in we need the fans to be with us and I'd like them to give us a bit of time. I'm speaking to a lot of players and managers.
“The important thing is to get that first win as soon as we can for that could act as a catalyst to further wins for us.”
Matlock hope to include centre back Rob Pacey and striker Ross Hannah in their squad to face Frickley, who have won their last three league games to rise from the relegation places to the comfort of mid-table.
Saturday December 6 (3pm)
Matlock Town v Frickley Athletic
Tuesday December 9 (7.45pm)
Buxton v Matlock Town
Continued on page 30
Pacey missed the Worksop clash after suffering a bout of sickness and diahorrea while a recurrence of Hannah's groin injury forced him off at Frickley and also out of last weekend's game.
Pacey would have played had Tuesday night's UniBond League Challenge Cup visit to Buxton not been postponed for a second time.
The clubs will try again this coming Tuesday (7.45 pm).
Atkins said mistakes cost the Gladiators two points on Saturday when they came from 2-0 down to draw, thanks to a great recovery led by winger Jamie Jackson, who bagged both goals.
"We made two mistakes and it led to two Worksop goals,” said Atkins.
“We like to play attractive positive football but the quicker we can drill it into them that we have to cut out the errors, the better.
"Really it was two points lost for us for we had the better of the game and the better of the chances.
The full article contains 438 words and appears in Matlock Mercury newspaper.
