VIDEO: Matlock Town manager Mark Atkins fumes over horror tackle on Lewis McMahon
MATLOCK Town boss Mark Atkins was left seething after striker Lewis McMahon was sidelined again with heavy bruising to his hip following the 3-1 Doodson Cup quarter-final win over Farsley.
McMahon, starting his first game since sustaining ankle ligament damage against Borrowash Victoria on January 29, had put the Gladiators 2-0 up.
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Lewis McMahon's Matlock Town comeback was short-lived after he was injured in the Doodson Cup win over Farsley.
But his comeback was cut short when he was on the wrong end of a high tackle early in the second half which saw Farsley's Matt Dempsey lucky to escape with only a yellow card.
Atkins said: "That challenge on Lewis was disgraceful and a straight red card in anyone's book.
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"In fact he's really lucky it's not a bad break and a career- ending injury. He's got stud marks around his hip bone and it's swelled up badly so I really can't see him being ready for tomorrow's trip to Kendal."
McMahon's injury is the tip of the iceberg, with five more players hurt in the cup win.
Goalkeeper Jon Kennedy hurt his leg, striker Massiah McDonald, who was playing his first game following a four-match suspension, went off with an ankle injury, while Micky Harcourt (hamstring), Laurence Gaughan (back) and Gareth Davies (knee) were also injured.
All are doubtful for the long trip to Kendal, while skipper James Lukic will serve a one-match ban following his sending off at Hednesford.
"While I was delighted to win the game and to reach another semi-final, when it got to the hour point I was chiefly concerned with getting as many players off the pitch fit and well at the end," said Atkins.
"We'd played some excellent football in the first half and created a couple of good chances to score two very good goals.
"We'd passed the ball well and I said to the lads at half-time that Farsley's only way back into the game was to try and get at us physically.
"We didn't play well in the second half but did enough to win the game."
USA-born Portuguese midfielder Geoffrey Guiveia could be given a place in the Matlock starting 11 after coming within inches of scoring on his debut against Farsley.
Guiveia, who has recently been released by Lincoln City, replaced McMahon and saw a shot go narrowly wide.
Strikers Joe Leesley and Brad Grayson are expected to be in the squad for the Kendal game after missing the Farsley win with sickness bugs.
Grayson impressed Atkins in last weekend's goalless draw with Whitby Town.
"Over the 90 minutes, a draw was just about a fair result," he said.
"Both sides struggled but we had the two best chances. Brad had a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, who deserves credit for a couple of excellent saves. We were better in the first 20 minutes or so of the second half. The game opened up a bit too much for my liking but we got a clean sheet, which is positive."
Matlock now know who they will face in the final of the Derbyshire Senior Cup, following Ilkeston's 2-0 success over Alfreton Town.
The two sides will meet at Chesterfield's Proact Stadium on Tuesday, April 30. Ticket details and kick-off time are still to be arranged.
VIDEO FOOTAGE THANKS TO JAMES GRIFFITHS FROM MTFC TV.
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