Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
Greenfields Stadium, Greenfields Lane, Market Drayton
Saturday, 12th April 2014, 3.00pm
Three More Points On The Road
The game kicked off, along with all of the afternoon kick-offs, at seven minutes past three and was preceded by a minutes silence to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy.
On a very good surface and with a stiff wind blowing down the length of the pitch, which Gresley had to play with at their backs in the first half, it was the visitors who took the lead when Serge Makofo slotted home at the far post. Rob Stevenson levelled in the second half but Alex Steadman made sure of the points for the visitors.
Gresley manager Martin Rowe had to make changes with Rob Spencer unavailable, a number of players out with injuries and defender Lucas Harrison serving the final game of his two match ban. Mitch Hanson retained his place at the heart of the defence alongside Jamie Barrett and Mickey Lyons came back into midfield with Sam Grice taking a place on the bench.
The visitors had the better of the early chances with Kieran O'Connell firing his shot straight at Town's keeper Damien Stevens and John Guy putting his free kick narrowly the wrong side of the post.
The game then became quite cagey with neither sides creating any chances but on 32 minutes Gresley took the lead. Guy cleverly flicked the ball over a defender to send O'Connell racing into the area. When he got to the by-line he cut the ball back for Steadman who was unlucky to see his first time shot hit the inside of the near post and fly across the goalmouth where Makofo was on hand to slot the ball into the net at the far post.
Gresley had two decent chances to have gone in at the break with a bigger advantage Makofo having a shot saved by Stevens and then Barrett putting his header from Paolo Piliero's corner wide.
The visitors started the second half brightly with Makofo hitting a low shot just wide of the post after turning smartly in the area.
Gresley were caught napping just before hour mark. A corner from the right by Will Whieldon came across the box to Stevens who was left unmarked at the far post and he duly steered his header into the net.
Five minutes later Town were reduced to ten men when Nicky Porter was shown a second yellow card for a nasty foul.
Having a player less seemed to spur the home side on and they were unfortunate not to have taken the lead four minutes later. Another corner caused Gresley problems again and a low shot seemed goal bound until Matt Roome cleared the danger off the line.
Gresley took the lead when O'Connell fed the ball through to Steadman who raced into the area and struck his shot which despite Stevens getting both hands to the ball ended up in the back of the net.
To Town's full credit they didn't let their heads drop and went close twice to once more squaring the match. Yet another poorly defended corner saw Kyle Blake put his free header wide of the far post and then Yannick Makota was given far too much time and space in the area to turn and fire a shot which Gresley keeper Mats Morch did well to save.
A short corner between Steadman and O'Connell saw the ball played across the edge of Town's area and substitute Grice cracked a shot wide of the near post.
Another free kick on the right saw O'Connell cleverly flick the ball over two defenders to Guy who had ran behind the pair but the final shot hit the side netting.
Gresley had the final chance of the game when Steadman's short corner came to substitute Zibusiso Nyatito who in turn picked out fellow substitute Brad Wells who hit a shot which Stevens did extremely well to block but Wells could only put the rebound wide of the target.
Manager's View
"We've had two well deserved away wins. I thought today we played some of the best football we've played in a long time. The pitch suited us and it was nice to have Mickey Lyons back in the team and everything clicked in the first half.
"I was just disappointed that we didn't go in at half time with more goals. The wind got up a bit in the second half but it was a good performance from us today.
"We did well in the first half, not so well in the second but we stuck at it. They got the equaliser but we still didn't give up and kept going which was good to see and hopefully we can keep it going until the end of the season.
"I was very disappointed with their goal and I'm sure Mats Morch and the back four are as well - we've gone to sleep. It happened a couple of times so I think I'm going to bring more players back but overall a good performance.
"With Kieran O'Connell getting a game in last week it gave him the confidence to go and play today which he did and he looked a danger all through the game and he's back to his normal self I'm happy to say.
"Brad Wells did well when he came on. He got himself in a good position and got his shot off. The goalkeeper saved it and it rebounded to Brad but unfortunately he didn't have the composure to hit the target but hit it wide.
"Mitch Hanson, who was carrying an injury all through the game, had another good game and he did well today. Our physio, Christina who is here because Samantha wasn't available, worked her magic on him at halftime and managed to get him through another forty-five minutes which was good.
"Marc Strzyzewski was not fit and to be fair Heather St Johns asked if they could have Hayden Johns today as they are trying to stay in their league so I agreed. We brought Strez in as he thought he'd be okay but during the warm up he said it still was not right but in the end it didn't matter as we still got three points."
