Match Report  |  Gresley FC vs Loughborough University

Gresley had to fight back after going a goal behind in the first half as The Students took the lead through Liam Green. A second half brace from Kyle Bryant and a goal from substitute Dean Oliver meant handed the Joe McGorian Memorial Cup to the Moatmen.

This annual pre-season competition, this season for the Midland Air Ambulance, between the Midland Football Alliance League winners and League Cup winners is named after Joe McGorian who was a Vice-President of the Midland Football Alliance from the inception until he passed away three years ago. He was President of Solihull Borough FC the club which went on to merge with Moor Green FC to form Solihull Moors FC and after his death the MFA decided to rename the trophy in Joe's memory.

Loughborough University, one of the favourites for the MFA title next season, came to the Moat Ground with the reputation of a good footballing side and it was soon obvious that the reputation is well earned.

However, it was Gresley who got on top of the game making the first chance with Jordi Gough hitting a long-range shot straight at the goalkeeper Daniel Lowton. Marc Strzyzweski then had what looked like a goal bound shot deflected for a corner.

On 22 minutes The Students should have taken the lead. A good run down the right by Daniel Nti resulted in a low cross across the box which saw Matt Collino racing in at the far post putting his shot wide from close in.

A good move from the home side ended with Gough's shot being deflected over the bar but despite having the better of the half Gresley found themselves a goal behind. A defensive slip in the area by Luke Garton handed Green the easiest of chances one he didn't refuse blasting the ball with the help of the far post past Gresley keeper Gary Hateley.

Gresley were quick out of the blocks the second half with Michael Nottingham having his header from Mickey Lyons' corner saved by Lowton.

Loughborough play some good passing football but seem to lack a real cutting edge up front and fall apart in the final third but on a rare occasion that they did get close saw Josh Dixon hit a stunning shot that was equalled with a superb save by Hateley to deny him.

Lavell White's cross was met by Royce Turville who was unlucky to see his header flash wide of the target but Gresley were soon level. Lyons made a surging run through the middle hitting a shot that Lowton couldn't hold on to and the lively Bryant following up hit the ball into the unguarded net.

The lead was doubled on 71 minutes and it was Bryant again who hit the mark. Richard Hanslow who had replaced Turville two minutes earlier slipped the ball to Bryant who beat Lowton with his shot despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball. Lowton then denied Bryant his hat-trick when he acrobatically pushed over the young strikers shot.

Gresley didn't have to wait long for their third goal as it arrived just three minutes later. Hanslow stung the palms of Lowton with a shot and Oliver reacting quickly slipped the ball home.

Bryant had one more chance for his third with a couple of minutes of the game remaining but his deflected shot was grabbed by Lowton at the second attempt.