UniBond League Division One
Shawbridge, Clitheroe
Saturday, 9th September 2006, 3.00pm
Late Agony for Moatmen
Gresley Rovers' poor start to the season continued at Shawbridge, Clitheroe on Saturday as they conceded two very late goals to return from their travels empty handed.
Gresley almost took an early lead when on two minutes a corner from Gary White found Colin Hoyle. The defender headed the ball down for Andy Simpson to smash the ball towards goal but Alan Fitzgerald did well to get down and block the shot. Paul Edwards tried to knock the rebound home by sliding in at the far post unfortunately the effort went wide.
Two minutes later Edwards went close again heading Carl Slater's free kick over the bar.
On 20 minutes Jamie Nay's cross found Michael Oates whose volley was superbly tipped over the bar by Gresley keeper Tommy Whittle.
Two minutes later Darrell Avery robbed Shaun Ridgway and fired in a low shot which Whittle did well to tip round the post.
Gresley manager Gary Norton then was forced to make a change as Gary White suffered an ankle injury that needed hospital treatment. Tony Hemmings was called upon to replace the left back.
On 31 minutes a corner from Clitheroe's Craig Sargeson found James Dean at the far post. His shot hit teammate Oates, who then tried to hook the ball over his shoulder. Simpson could only clear the ball as far as Dean who fired in a shot which flew just wide of the far post.
With three minutes remaining of the half Clitheroe were awarded a free-kick just outside the box and Whittle did well to hold onto Owen Roberts' dipping effort at the foot of the post.
On 62 minutes Dean dispossessed Hemmings following a Blues corner. His cross sailed over to the far post where two Clitheroe players stood totally unmarked, but Oates put his header wide.
Ridgway had a half chance two minutes later but he put his shot wide after receiving a fine ball from Slater.
On 71 minutes it took an immaculately timed tackle by Andy Spencer to deny Sargeson who was in on goal.
With 15 minutes left on the clock David Holmes found Steve Gomm at the far post but the front man put his header wide.
Whittle was back in action on 79 minutes, blocking Dean's shot with his legs. Gresley only partially cleared the danger and Roberts' long-range effort just flew wide of the post.
Clitheroe's keeper then had to be alert as Gresley made a fine break with only five minutes remaining. He did extremely well to hold onto Gomm's shot after Jamie Barrett had picked out the striker with a superb pass.
With a draw looking a certainty, Gresley made two fatal defensive errors and a point was gone.
On 86 minutes, Barrett gave the ball away to Johnson inside Gresley's half. Johnson put a pinpoint pass through to Dean waiting in the box who beat Whittle with his shot.
A carbon copy of the earlier mistake came in the final minute as Gresley gifted their hosts all three points. Gomm repeated Barrett's mistake and Dean comfortably beat Hoyle before blasting a shot past the Whittle.
Manager's View
"The goals came from two individual errors. We've had to get round the two lads concerned and it's important we learn from our mistakes.
"We looked pretty solid defensively, we chased people down and the workrate from everyone was fantastic.
"As an away performance I was enthused by it, but you have to take your chances when they come in games like this and we sis not make the most of the ones we created.
"However, I cannot fault the players for their effort."
