Ian William's Match Report Vs Gresley FC

EMCL Premier Division Saturday 13th February 2010

GRESLEY FC..............................4 (Slater2, Hill, Spencer)

GEDLING MW..........................1 (Boulton)

Slater’s double sees off the Miners

Something had to give at the Moat Ground as Gresley, unbeaten in 13 and into the Quarter Finals of the FA Vase, and Gedling MW, unbeaten in 10 went head to head. The Moatmen’s last league defeat was at the hand of Gedling MW back in September in a game which Gresley played a major part but could only take one of several good chances. They were obviously out to avenge that reverse in front of the Moat’s largest crowd of the season.

From the off, the Miners custodian, Lance Walker was the busier of the two keepers making smart saves from both Royce Turville and Mickey Lyons within the first twelve minutes of the game as the home side swept forward with promise. Gedling took the lead, however, on 20 minutes but the home side struck back with four first half goals to deservedly take the spoils. Despite all the early pressure Gresley went behind from a set piece. A needless free kick conceded by Jack Coulson - which earned him a booking - just outside the area was confidently despatched into the top corner by Craig Boulton.

The lead lasted just five minutes as the home side responded positively. A corner from the left by Matt Hill swung into the box and Gareth Langford ducked at the near post and the ball eluded everyone as it looped into the far top corner of the net with the ‘keeper helpless. Three minutes later and they were ahead when Royce Turville laid the ball back for Carl Slater to hammer from 20 yards into the top corner again with Walker rooted to the floor. Mickey Lyons then tried a shot from distance that Walker did well to hold on to.

Just after the hour mark, referee Mr Rowbotham had to be replaced by his colleague Mr Murfin due to an injury which led to a lengthy period of stoppage while a replacement assistant referee was called for out of the crowd. Thankfully one volunteered and the game was able to continue. Gresley's third goal came on 37 minutes as a result of a very poor pass back. Lyons pounced and slipped the ball back to Slater who replicated his earlier goal beating Walker again from distance. The game was a good as ended with five minutes of the first half remaining when Lyons picked out Rob Spencer with a cross from the right and he duly powered home his header. Two goals in a few crazy minutes more or less doomed Gedling to their first defeat since the end of October. Time to show some pride and guts and the second period was a slight improvement on the first

Gresley began the second half strongly with the hard working Turville heading Slater's cross powerfully towards goal only for Walker to make another good save low down to his left to deny the striker a deserved goal. On 68 minutes the Miners almost reduced the deficit as Chris Ison beat the offside trap and raced through and only the outstretched leg of home ‘keeper Gary Hateley prevented a goal. Jordi Gough then had a half chance but flashed his shot across the face of the goal and wide of the far post. Warren Hatfield then went close with a rasping half volley that flew just the wrong side of the far post. The visitors had an even better chance on 83 minutes when Barry Payne was put through down the right but he chose to try and put a pass across the area to two team mates waiting in space but it was a poor effort and the chance had gone. Gresley substitute Adam Betteridge went close to adding two more goals in the dying minutes of the game. The first when he flashed a shot across goal and the wrong side of the far post and then sending a flying header just over the bar. Hard to stomach a defeat like this but Gresley are a quality outfit, and, in the end, fully deserved the three points that must surely, FA Vase commitments allowing, earmark them as one of the favourites for league honours. For the Miners part, heads never dropped and they can take some pride in their second half clean sheet.

ATT: 272

Referee: Howard Rowbotham (Tim Murfin 30)

Gresley: Hateley, Hill, Butler, Coulson (Gadsby 60) Barrett, Slater (C) Lyons, Turville, Langford (Land 85) Spencer, Gough (A.Betteridge 79) Subs: Woodall, T.Betteridge.

Gedling MW: Walker, Walton, Nightingale, Williams (Martt 82) Clarson (Brown 82) Marlow, Payne (C) Hatfield, Hall, Ison, Boulton. Sub: Russell.

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