Matlock boss hails spirit of players

Paul Phillips has hailed his Matlock Town players for overcoming adversity and bad luck this season.
Paul Phillips is delighted by the attitude of his players.Paul Phillips is delighted by the attitude of his players.
Paul Phillips is delighted by the attitude of his players.

Matlock had just been forced to take a COVID break from football before the second national lockdown was imposed.

They have also battled their way through the FA Cup despite being pulled out the hat away four times in a row.

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“We’ve had a lot of bad luck in the last few months, but the players have been brilliant” said the Matlock boss

“I think the sky’s the limit for this group and everyone who saw us at Coalville will probably agree.

“They rolled their sleeves up after being unlucky to go two down and fought back magnificently. Coalville was a really hard game against a team at the top of their league and against a big strong physical team. I think it really showed the spirit we have in our ranks.”

A problem for all clubs at Matlock’s level is that they don’t know when they will be called into action again.

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“Training’s not easy,” Phillips added. “But as I’ve said before, we’ve got a great set of lads who’ll do what they need to during this break.

“They’ve looked after themselves and there’s a determination throughout the group to do well for this football club.”

The Gladiators will travel to Coleshill in the FA Trophy following yet another away draw, with Phillips conceding he doesn’t know a lot about them.

“We usually try and do our homework and if we get the chance to look at them before the tie’s played, whenever that’ll be, we’ll do so,” he said.

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“ It is what it is, we’ll probably be expected to win but as we saw with Oxford City and Marine in the FA Cup, the underdog can win so we’ll need to prepare the best way we can.

“Six successive away draws is certainly bad luck, it’s inconvenient especially as we might have to go to Coleshill in midweek, but we can’t really moan, we’re still in the competition after being two down in the previous round.”

Matlock currently sit in eighth position in the Pitchng In NPL Premier Division six points behind leaders Mickleover with three games in hand.