UniBond League Division One
Coronation Park, Eastwood
Tuesday, 22nd March 2005, 7.45pm
Edwards brace earns a point
For the neutral this was an entertaining end-to-end game for the die-hard fan of either side it was a nail biting affair.
Both sides had a chance of winning the game but in the end a draw was possibly the fairest result as neither team deserved to lose.
Gresley came out of the blocks at full tilt and were soon putting pressure on the Eastwood defence with Gary White testing the resolve of Town keeper Danny Bryant with a powerful shot, Jamie Barrett's cross hurriedly cleared away for a corner and Jamie Hood's header cleared off the line by a defender with Bryant beaten - all this in the first six minutes.
The visitor's pressure was rewarded, however, on 12 minutes when Paul Edwards met Niall Hudson's cross with a bullet-like header leaving Bryant helpless. It could have been even better for the Moatmen just a minute later when a smart move featuring Chris Gray and Aaron O'Connor ended with the ball just out of the reach of the marauding Edwards.
Town's Matt Mills had a chance to pull his side level on 14 minutes but his header from James Whitehead's free kick went wide of the mark.
Gresley keeper saw his first real action four minutes later when he held on to a shot fired straight at him by Kelvin Mushambi.
Nathan Tate went close for the visitors on 25 minutes after receiving Edwards' cross but the final shot went wide.
Down at the opposite end Belford needed to deal with a header as Eastwood had possibly their best spell of the first half.
With the half coming to a close Gresley forced three corners in succession. However, the home side had the last say somewhat against the run of play when they grabbed an equaliser. In time added on they were awarded a corner that Whitehead sent to the far post where substitute Gary Sucharewycz headed home past Belford.
The second period made a stuttering start with a succession of free kicks before Eastwood made the first attempt on goal of the half on 54 minutes but Belford saved well from a Paul Mitchell volley.
On 57 minutes Gresley doubled their advantage. Edwards collected the ball down on the left touch line and sent over a cross-cum-shot that sailed over the stranded Bryant and into the far corner of the net.
Again Town came back to tie the game just six minutes later. Kicking up the considerable slope they were awarded a free kick. This signaled danger for the Gresley defence as Eastwood's set plays had been superb all night. Chris Shaw floated in a cross that caught Belford in two minds as to whether to try and catch the ball or punch it clear. In the end he did neither and Knox was on hand to nod the ball into the empty net.
On 65 minutes Jamie Barrett had a half chance but got no power behind his shot and Bryant dealt with the danger comfortably.
Gresley were extremely unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty after defender Lee Soar grabbed a handful of O'Connor's shirt and clearly pulled him back in the penalty area as the striker was in on goal but the referee Mr Swift dismissed the appeals and waved play on.
Belford made up for his early error by denying Mitchell the chance of a goal by pulling off another fine save on 78 minutes.
Three minutes later Gresley defender Steve Farmer went close but he put his header, from a Gray corner, narrowly wide.
And, although the home team finished the stronger of the two sides the visitors almost snatched all three points when an Eastwood defender managed to put White's low cross behind his own goal with Edwards just waiting for his chance of glory.
Manager's View
"It was a good game and quite entertaining - in a perverse sort of a way I enjoyed it. It was nice to get ourselves in front but I was very disappointed with the timing and the manner in which we conceded the equaliser in the first half. If I was being critical the referee allowed the lad on, he's made a mistake and we conceded a corner from it and perhaps it didn't directly affect things maybe if he hadn't have been on the pitch we'd have got the man there to deal with things a little bit more comfortably.
"But, some of their set plays all night have been the best I've seen this season. People have criticised us when we've gone long and loaded the box but that's how you do it. They've got the personnel to play it and it's effective. Fair play to them, it's got them on a fantastic run in the Trophy and they've been a credit to the UniBond League. Eastwood have played well tonight and I'm very impressed with them.
"We've come away with a point. We probably would have taken a point before the lick off in fairness with the situation we're in two points ahead and with a game in hand. And, it sets things up nicely for the Kendal game on Friday, which will be my one-hundredth game in charge so I'm looking forward to that one.
"To take the lead twice away from home and get pegged back is frustrating. Dale has taken the blame for the second goal. He said he went to catch it and he should have punched it regardless of whether he was fouled or not and that's the sort of guy Dale is.
"I'm very delighted with Paul Edwards - that's three goals now. He's been honest in the dressing room and he said he really enjoyed getting the first one - a big powerful header. The second one, he's got a bit of luck and as soon as it left him he saw it going over the keeper and he didn't mean to do it but maybe that will be the little bit of luck we've been missing. He's worked hard and he's done well and I've got high hopes for him for the rest of the season. Paul has settled in well and that's three starts in a Gresley shirt, one for the reserves and two for the first team and he's got four goals in those starts so I'm quite pleased.
"I thought Chris Gray was fantastic and he's done well. First half he got himself about and he mixed things up a little bit. He got involved in one or two bits and picked a yellow up and I there was a little spell were I was conscious about maybe taking him off but we risked it. That's the sort of player Chris is - he's got great energy and he broke things up. He was fantastic tonight and I'm pleased to have him back. It give us another option on the right were we have been struggling and he can play up front as well.
"We took Nathan off as a tactical decision because I felt we wanted a bit more experience and aerial presence in there with Matt Smith. It was a bit of a risk because Matt's ankle is still not one hundred percent. That's why he hasn't been considered for a start in the last couple of games."
