Atkins delighted with latest addition

Nine definite new signings with one more to come, possibly two, means that manager Mark Atkins has some tough decisions to make ahead of Saturday’s league opener at Trafford.
Matlock Town V Blyth Spartans Evo Stik Premier. Mark Atkins instructing his matlock side Picture by: James WilliamsonMatlock Town V Blyth Spartans Evo Stik Premier. Mark Atkins instructing his matlock side Picture by: James Williamson
Matlock Town V Blyth Spartans Evo Stik Premier. Mark Atkins instructing his matlock side Picture by: James Williamson

New recruit number nine came prior to last weekend’s 1-0 victory at Sheffield FC when striker Zephaniah (Zeph) Thomas joined up, a vital signing as the Gladiators lost Shaun Tuton to Buxton and Daryl Thomas moved to London through work commitments during the summer.

Thomas, 24, was brought in from Scarborough Athletic and is a St Kitts and Nevis international, having spent his early career at Rotherham United, and also played north of the border at Cowdenbeath.

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A prolific spell at Sheffield where he netted 19 goals in 29 appearances last season before he switched to Mickleover Sports alerted Atkins who was delighted to get his man.

“I’d spoken to Zeph earlier in the summer after he’d done really well at Sheffield but Scarborough offered him a fantastic deal,” said Atkins. “But things didn’t work out for him there so he got in touch and we brought him in.

“He’s done really well in training, he’ll work hard and he’ll be a really good addition to our squad for he’s hungry and a good finisher, that’s something I feel we definitely need.”

Atkins had earlier recruited Leon Osborne, Jason Stokes, Phil Roe, Josh Meade, Niall Dawkins, Oliver Brock, Alex Hewitt plus former Barnsley academy defender Dean Freeman.

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Midfielder Jordan Snodin is expected to sign later this week and a decision will be made on another player, believed to be a striker, after training tonight (Thursday).

“Some hard decisions will have to be made before Saturday but that’s what you want, you want to have that quality which I feel we’re now getting which gives a manager decisions to make,” said Atkins.

His choices have been limited a little as both James Ashmore, who has not featured at all during pre-season with a knee injury, and Roe (foot), will definitely be out of the trip to Shawe View, while full back Micky Harcourt’s knee injury will be monitored. If Harcourt is unfit it is thought Adam Yates, who missed the Sheffield win attending a wedding, will wear the number two shirt.

David Haggerty scored the winner at Sheffield to end what Atkins says has been a ‘long pre-season’.

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“Looking at pre-season as a whole, there’s been some good and some not so good things, but fitness levels are good and I think we’ve got a nice strong squad.

“We’re hoping for a good season, some good cup runs and obviously to finish as high as we can in the league. There’s not much use in setting targets until the season is up and running.”

Stamford are the first visitors to the Autoworld Arena on Tuesday night.

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