Match Report  |  Gresley FC vs Alfreton Town

Gresley pulled off a surprise in the 3rd Round of the Derbyshire Senior Cup at the Moat Ground as they beat Blue Square Conference outfit Alfreton Town.

A double strike from Royce Turville saw Gresley through to the next round after Dean Oliver had opened the scoring for the home side. As was expected Alfreton hit back and were in the lead through goals from Paul Clayton and Levi Mackin.

On a bitterly cold evening, on a heavy pitch and with both sides making changes from the weekend's line-ups, Oliver went close hitting a shot on the turn which took a deflection for a corner. Turville than tested Town keeper Dan Lowson with a low shot that was well held.

Gresley took the lead midway through the first half when Oliver raced onto a through ball and coolly slipped the ball past Lowson.

However, the lead lasted just three minutes as Clayton managed to get in front of Gresley keeper Gary Hateley to flick the ball into the net.

Hateley then had to produce two fine saves as Town applied pressure as the first half drew to a close. Home defender prevented Michael Nottingham saved his side from going in for the break a goal down when he headed a free kick off the line.

Alfreton came out looking for a goal and Matt Wilson was unlucky to see his free kick from the right come back off the underneath of the bar.

As was expected Alfreton continued to put Gresley under pressure with some good flowing football and the onslaught told when they scored from a quick break. Jamie Mullan made a great run down the left and picked out Mackin racing into the area and the final low shot gave Hateley no chance.

It look as if Alfreton would now take control of the game but Turville levelled seven minutes later when he latched onto a decisive through ball before cleverly beating the advancing Lowson and running the ball into the empty net.

Again Alfreton pressed forward and Hateley made a superb save to tip Clayton's dipping volley over the bar. The woodwork came to Gresley's aid again when Mullan's vicious shot beat Hateley but crashed back of the bar only for Town substitute Nathan Arnold to blaze a close-range shot well over the gaping net.

With time running out and extra time looking a distinct if not welcome possibility on such an evening, Turville scored the final goal of what had been a thoroughly entertaining game. The hardworking Rob Spencer made a run down the left and picked out Turville over on the right and the striker made no mistake blasting Gresley into the quarter-finals.