The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier

Matlock boss Mark Atkins reckons pre season is going well in spite of three worrying injuries.

After three weeks of training, the Gladiators finally got their pre season friendly programme under way with a 2-1 win at Teversal on Tuesday night when a trialist hammered them in front in just thirty six seconds. They were well on top but could not strike again and out of the blue the Northern Counties East League First Division hosts levelled five minutes from the interval with their first shot at goal from Shaun Tuton. A more even second period followed and Lewis McMahon struck the decider with just four minutes remaining, sweeping in a Brad Grayson cross.

Skipper James Lukic watched from the sidelines with an ankle injury, as did striker Liam Wilkin who has bruised lungs following a rib injury picked up towards the end of last term. Wilin will be especially frustrated, he said it could be an absence of several weeks as he bids to establish himself in the side following his move from Winterton Rangers last season. Then during the game a late challenge on Micky Harcourt saw the full back limp off with what could be an aggravation of the broken metatarsal which forced him to miss the final five weeks of 2011/12.

"I'm pleased with the lads so far, they look fit and have done all of the work we've asked them to" said Atkins. "They're sharp and playing the ball around a lot more, different to last season."

The passing was crisp and purposeful at Caernarvon Street with Atkins' assistant Nick Buxton adding "we passed the ball around more n the first half more than we did in the whole of last season."

Atkins had brought in attacking midfielder Lewis McMahon, who was on loan from Gainsborough in the business end of last season, scoring four times, strikers Lee Ellington from Guiseley and Brad Grayson from Frickley plus Frickley midfielder James Ashmore. They all played some part on Tuesday.

"It was good to get the new lads on the pitch in a Matlock strip and I thought we played very well in the first half when we had four or five really good opportunities. The second half went downhill a bit but the players got forty five minutes as they start to work towards full fitness."

With Harcourt and Lukic's injuries in mind, coupled with Lukic being banned for the opening three league matches, Atkins has drafted in Ryan Laight for a second spell at the Reynolds Stadium. Laight left to join Ossett Town two years ago.

"We've signed him for we could well need cover in defence, I thought he did very well on Tuesday when he came on for the second half" Atkins explained.

There were three other trialists on view at Teversal, one an experienced midfielder who slotted in next to James Ashmore with ease. All of the trialists plus a couple of their under nineteen squad should be on view at Shirebrook Town in the second friendly on Saturday. Then comes the annual Banner Jones Cup meeting with Chesterfield on Tuesday.

"It'll again be a case of a lot of people getting forty five minutes in on Saturday before against Chesterfield I'll use those lads who I feel are more up to speed both in ifitness and ball work" the manager continued.

As big a surprise as Laight returning could be the quicker comeback of Chris Bettney who Atkins released in May. Bettney asked Atkins if he could try again and while he has not signed yet, Atkins could well offer him a second chance.

IAN RICHARDSON