Match Report  |  Stocksbridge Park Steels vs Gresley Rovers

Gresley Rovers were forced to make further changes as skipper Andy Simpson and defender Allan Davies were unavailable for the trip to Bracken Moor Lane. Manager Gary Norton gave new signings Lee Soar and Adam Cooper their debuts but was still without top scorer Aaron O'Connor and central defender Matt Millns. Paul Wardle was again asked to take up a defensive role.

The visitors started well and on 6 minutes Eric Graves went close to opening the scoring but fired straight at home keeper Steve Hudson.

Six minutes later Norton was forced into a change when David Holmes succumbed to a hamstring injury and Paul Edwards was introduced in his place.

Stocksbridge's first attempt came when Wardle gave away a free kick taken by Dave Cockerill. His attempt was headed clear by Chris Gray but only as far as Carl Smith who put his shot past the upright.

Cockerill was involved again just before the half hour when he fed Ben Walker with a delightful ball but the final shot was well wide.

On 37 minutes Carl Slater's pass was helped on it's way by Graves and into the path of Edwards. The striker hit a terrific goal bound shot that was superbly saved by Hudson.

Just before the break Stocksbridge went close when Stefan Zoll could only put his header, from Carl Smith's cross, wide of the post when well placed.

Stocksbridge took the lead on 57 minutes. Cockerill cut a fine ball back to Zoll who hit a low shot past Gresley keeper James Pemberton.

Gary White's inswinging corner almost got Gresley back on terms just 4 minutes later but Ryan Tulson managed to prevent the ball from crossing the line.

Tony Hemmings, who had replaced Graves on 63 minutes, almost helped his side to a goal when he laid on a chance for Gray but Hudson managed to grab the ball denying the midfielder.

Gresley were on top but could not get the goal their effort deserved. Both Michael Lyons and Jamie Barrett had chances but on 75 minutes the home side almost doubled their advantage somewhat against the run of play. Ross Hannah ran onto a through ball from Duncan Richards but somehow managed to fire wide with on the Gresley keeper to beat.

Edwards got his side back in the game with only 7 minutes remaining of normal time with a glorious shot that gave Hudson no chance.

A point looked certain and well deserved but, with Gresley pushing for a winner, Stocksbridge made a swift break on 88 minutes after clearing White's corner. The unfortunate Cooper could only clear the ball into the path of Zoll and with the Gresley defence back-pedalling fired an unstoppable shot into the net to grab all three points for his side.