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Atkins wary of Leigh 'fighters'
MATLOCK manager Mark Atkins goes head to head with another former Blackburn Rovers midfielder as the Gladiators have just two matches to preserve their UniBond Premier Division status.
Gary Flitcroft has taken over at Leigh Genesis since they were roundly thrashed 5-0 at Causeway Lane back in January, and they have shown definite signs of improvement.
But anything less than a win for Leigh will see them effectively relegated, so they will be fighting for their lives on Saturday. And although Leigh lost 7-0 to Buxton at Warrington on Monday, Atkins is reading nothing into that result.
“I'm not taking the Buxton result into account for it was a freak result,” said Atkins.
“I know the players Gary's recently brought in and they're Conference North level and above.
“We'll be taking Saturday's game very seriously and if anyone thinks it's going to be a walkover, then they're badly mistaken.
“Leigh are fighting for their lives so we'll need to play how we did on Monday again.
“I also want the fans to get behind us like they've done in recent games. I'm expecting the lads to show the same fighting spirit and we'll see where it takes us.”
After their own Good Friday horror show at the hands of Buxton, the Gladiators have received not one but two shots in the arm as their survival bid goes to the wire.
The 2-0 win over play-off chasing Hednesford on Easter Monday was followed by news that Alfreton Town have allowed on loan striker Danny Davidson to remain at Causeway Lane beyond his initial month’s stay, during which he has scored four goals in six full appearances, plus one as a substitute.
“Danny will be with us for our two remaining league games and I'm delighted for his performances have been good, with his goals winning us some games,” said Atkins.
“It's a big plus point for us to have him in our squad. The lad wants to stay and see the job through.
“We also must thank Alfreton for allowing him to stop with us.”
Atkins said that he could not defend the players for their awful performance at Silverlands and apologised to angry fans.
“We set the team up the way we did to be positive for we felt that we'd have more chance of beating them if we went at them.
“Some people have said that the team selection was probably wrong, and I must hold my hands up and say I got it wrong on the day.
“But we never gave it a go and we did exactly the opposite to what we wanted to do out on the pitch.
“Instead of getting the ball forward to make the best use of two six footers we had in attack we played too many side and back passes.
“I can fully appreciate how the fans must have felt. Some walked to the game which was a great gesture on their part trying to raise funds for the club. They had every right to feel frustrated and all I can do is apologise to them.”
But he was glowing about his side’s showing on Monday.
“They showed character and endeavour, they challenged for everything, defending as a unit not as individuals. They got the result through hard work, nothing else.”
Saturday April 18 (3pm)
Leigh Genesis v Matlock Town
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Weather for Bakewell
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -6 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North east
