Cresswell happy with Matlock win
Interim boss Ryan Cresswell was pleased with Matlock Town’s players after they won 1-0 at Garforth Town on Saturday – just two days after Adam Clayton had lost his job as player-manager.
Clayton, who initially took charge of the Gladiators on an interim basis a year ago before taking the job permanently last summer, had guided Matlock to third in the NPL Division One East.
But performances against the sides challenging at the top of the table had been disappointing in recent weeks, coupled with Redcar having gone on to secure the title by some distance.
A club statement read: “The decision is based on recent results. Since the start of February, the club has played the five teams positioned closest in the table, losing all five. The club believes this form is not what is required to secure the best play-off position, nor is it ideal preparation for the end-of-season play-offs themselves.
“Further information regarding the vacant position will follow as soon as it is confirmed.”
Clayton had initially left the club by mutual consent in December before being reinstated a day later when a move to another club fell through.
Cresswell, meanwhile, who Clayton initially replaced as manager last year but who returned as his assistant earlier this season, guided Matlock to the win at Garforth alongside Ricky Ravenhill, a former Northampton Town team-mate and the father of Matlock midfielder Liam.
Cresswell said: “A win was massive for the dressing room and we dominated from start to finish.
"We could have been two up at the break but didn’t take our chances, and we said to the lads at half-time not to panic but not to change too much and keep testing them, and we got our rewards.”
Matlock host Consett on Saturday before then heading to Silsden on Easter Monday.