Gresley FC vs The Sump

Gresley 'A' 4-1 The Sump

Scorers: Abbott, Holmes, Morton, D Gee (pen)

Team: Ian Parker(c), Matt Gee, Rich Mansfield, Jamie Ball, Andy Simons, Danny Gee, Ash Riddell, Matt Holmes, Rob Simpkins, Paul Morton, James Abbott

Sub: Rich Bartlam

Without a game last week I thought the squad would be raring to face today's opponents, however we were without several players for different reasons.

We welcomed the return of Rich Mansfield after recent work commitments and also new signing Andy Simons who was put straight into the starting eleven. Craig Harrison was feeling unwell, so I was left to run things alone, although very grateful that Andy Laud (The Seals manager) kindly offered to run the line for us.

We started off reasonably well all things considered, with Riddell taking up an unusual centre midfield position, allowing Abbott up front on his full debut. As always our work rate was good and we looked quite positive both on and off the ball, but fair play to The Sump they battled well.

We passed the ball around quite well and were finding our players easier than The Sump were, and had a couple of half chances before Abbott opened the score on the 14 minute mark. It's his first goal for us, and it was one of good quality lifting the ball over the keeper.

It was no more than we deserved, and Holmes added another soon after hitting a great strike from way out giving their keeper no chance.

So 2-0 to the good in the first 24 minutes, we should of been cruising however our defence dwelled too long in clearing the ball and Parker gave away a penalty. So we gave The Sump a glimmer of hope, which was in my eyes totally self inflicted as they pulled one back.

We then began to get involved in arguing with our guests rather than let our football do the talking, which unsettled us so to me it was a great relief that half time came.

My views about not getting involved in the bickering were certainly "aired", and as I said this only brings us down and the lads must learn the mental aspects of the game as well as the football side of things.

We made one change going into the second half, replacing Abbott for Bartlam which allowed Riddell to partner Morton up front.

This gave us a different attacking option which I knew that The Sump's defence wouldn't relish especially as they would tire as the game went on.

With 15 minutes gone, Riddell found Morton and he punished The Sump making it 3-1. Danny Gee hit a great shot from way out only to see his effort come thundering off the crossbar with the keeper beaten.

Morton's pace proved too much once again, and was brought down in their area, so up stepped D Gee who duly placed the penalty past their keeper.

We had taken a good foothold on the 3 points, but credit to The Sump they never gave in, and it wasn't as one sided as the score line might suggest.

Today has seen us secure our first win of the season, and it can do our confidence no harm, however we really must continue to improve as we still continue to rebuild our squad. We've lost several players to our reserves etc, and been missing others through work commitments and injuries so patience is needed by all concerned.

To all those involved with us though, I'm sure that they'll agree with me that the improvements that quite a few players continue to make is both pleasing and encouraging. We are not "the finished item" yet, but together we're working on it and hopefully as we do our results will improve also.

MoM: Ash Riddell, he did very, very well in centre midfield and as we see week in week out in both games and training, his energy and desire is excellent. Not scored today but contributed to several goals and he's got a bright future in football.