'˜Matlock players have stepped up to the mark,' says Hoole

After a scoreless draw at home to Stourbridge in his first game, a dramatic recovery from two goals down at local rivals Buxton brought about a 3-2 victory before the Gladiators were comfortable winners at home to Coalville Town last Saturday.

The visitors scored early on but a Harry Limb brace and a third from Michael Williams amplified a dominant Matlock performance.

Hoole said: “It was a flat game if I was honest but we controlled it for long periods and it was a really professional performance.”

All of Matlock’s goals were scored from close range following neat approach play and this seems to be the way Hoole and assistant Shaun Harrad want to do things.

A look at the tactics board in the dressing room beforehand gives the Gladiators players useful information on their opponents, but as Hoole says, it’s what Matlock do that counts.

“We do our homework,” he said. “Shaun and me know quite a few other managers and we speak to them to see what we can find out. We don’t go overboard but it can be a useful insight into what we can expect.

“But we’re more interested in what we do, our performance both individually and collectively is what’s important. The lads are following what they’re told in the build-up, playing the thirds and trying to get in behind the opposing defence.”

Hoole emphasises he wants the performances and the results to continue.

“We’ve seen a great response from the players who have stepped up to the mark but we’ve put it on a plate to them,” he said.

“It’s a matter of them showing just how much they want to play for this club, whether I’m the next manager or someone else who may have different ideas takes over,” added Hoole.

The one relegation spot from the top tier of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League was finally confirmed last weekend following Sutton Coldfield Town’s 2-1 defeat at Barwell.

But the Whitby game is a six pointer while Rushall have improved immeasurably since the early stages of the season with impressive wins against leaders Altrincham, play off chasing Ashton United and on Tuesday a 2-0 home win against Buxton.

Hoole should have a full squad to choose from at Whitby but that will be loanee Jan Yeomans’ final appearance before he returns to Boston United.