Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
Coles Lane, Sutton Coldfield
Tuesday, 5th November 2013, 7.45pm
Gresley Hang On For Three Points
Gresley fully deserved their win and first league double of the season on the artificial surface of the Coles Lane pitch against Sutton Coldfield Town despite having to hold on for the final ten minutes or so.
The visitors had stormed to a three-nil lead through goals from Eric Graves, Jordan Nadat and an own goal from Matt Jackson but then the introduction of Royals' substitute Mark Danks gave the home side a lift as he scored two late but controversial goals.
Gresley manager Martin Rowe made just one change to Saturday's winning side bringing Jack Langston, who was cup-tied for the previous match, for Sam Grice in midfield.
On the slick surface Gresley started well with Nadat beating the offside trap but narrowly slotting his shot past the far post.
A couple of minutes later it was Paolo Piliero turn to go close as he also sent his shot wide from Graves' cross.
The first chance for the hosts came on 18 minutes when Gary Hay raced through only to have his effort blocked by Gresley keeper Ross Etheridge at his near post.
Gresley took the lead just after the half hour mark. Piliero made a good run down the left before sending a cross into the area where Graves turned and then slammed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
The second half started brightly for the visitors with Kieran O'Connell getting the better of a defender but his shot went straight into the arms of Royals' keeper Lee Evans.
The hosts then went close when the ball was flicked out of the reach of Etheridge but Mitch Hanson was on hand to clear the ball off the line.
A free kick was awarded to Gresley for a foul just outside the area and Hanson's terrific strike was acrobatically tipped over the bar by Evans. The corner from the left from Langston was powerfully headed into the net but unfortunately by Royals' defender Matt Jackson.
The best goal of the game came six minutes later. Some excellent interplay down the left ended with Graves picking out O'Connell who in turn put the perfect low cross into the area where Nadat was waiting to slot the ball home at the far post.
Gresley went close to adding a fourth goal just a couple of minutes later when Nadat made a good run down the left before crossing the ball into the area but O'Connell just couldn't get the final touch.
The Royals got a goal back when Gresley defender Lucas Harrison was harshly adjudged to have brought down substitute Luke Chapman right on the edge of the area. The referee Mr Wittingham decided that the foul was inside and duly pointed to the spot where Danks converted despite Etheridge getting a hand to the ball.
A second goal for the hosts came with just eight minutes remaining and again it was a controversial one. Harrison was clearly fouled on the halfway line but unbelievably the referee let the infringement go and with Gresley players still protesting Danks was allowed to race forward before hitting a low shot past Etheridge.
This led to a nervy final few minutes but Gresley could have added a fourth goal with time almost up when Piliero's cross found Spencer in the box but his strike went straight at Evans.
