Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 15th February 2014, 3.00pm
Gresley Dig Deep For The Points
This game was in doubt right up until kick off with the rain, which has been soaking the country for weeks, threatening to scupper Gresley's latest attempt to get a game of football.
However, despite it raining the game started but there was not much to report as both sides found it difficult to come to terms with a very wet and soft surface along with a very stiff breeze so chances were few and far between.
The second half was much the same until midway through when Rob Spencer lit up the proceedings when he headed the only goal of the game to cheer the hardy Gresley faithful who had braved the conditions to visit the Moat Ground.
Manager Martin Rowe made changes to his side who had faced Belper two and a half weeks ago in their last game. John Guy was pushed over to left back and Liam Guest brought back into the centre of the defence. Rob Spencer returned up front in place of Royce Turville who was taken ill with a virus during the week.
Neither keeper was kept busy in the first period as chances at both ends of the pitch were at a minimum. Gresley's keeper was tested first with a free kick from 25 yards which he held comfortably.
The visitors' keeper James Martin was called upon at the end of the half to make a top draw save tipping over Guy's 20 yard free kick over the bar.
The second half continued to see few chances in the early stages but as the game went on it opened up and on the hour mark Gresley's Paulo Piliero saw a goal bound shot deflected away for a corner.
Gresley scored what proved to be the only goal of the game seven minutes later. Eric Graves lofted a ball to the far post where Jamie Barrett was waiting to head the ball back into the box for Spencer to head home from close in.
The home side went close to adding another goal just a few minutes later when Piliero picked out Kieran O'Connell down the left but Martin closed the chance down and made a good save to block the ball.
With fifteen minutes remaining Gresley were awarded a free kick just on the edge of the 'D' taken by Guy. His shot was a good one but saved by Martin pushing the attempt away for a corner.
Substitute Jack Langston then went close but again found Martin in good form tipping ball away for another Gresley corner.
Just as it seemed Gresley had done enough for all three points Rainworth went close to grabbing an unlikely goal at the end of the game but Morch made a fine block at his near post to hold onto his clean sheet and all three deserved points for his side.
Manager's View
"It was good to get a game played. Mother Nature must have changed in our favour. The high winds last night really dried the pitch out. To be fair I didn't think we'd be playing today but when I got to the Moat around half past one and went on the pitch was fine except for one boggy area.
"Then at quarter to three it started raining again but the pitch held up and has done really well. The ground staff and supporters have really done well. They really do need a pat on the back and it was a good performance from the team today under difficult circumstances.
"We defended well in the first half but we didn't create much. But in the second half the game opened up and we played a lot better.
"After we'd scored Kieran O'Connell had a chance to score and then Jack Langston right at the end. Mickey Lyons went close as well. It was nice to get a clean sheet.
"We changed things today. I think Lucas Harrison was very unlucky to be left out but we just wanted a bit more height at the back today because of their aerial threat. Liam Guest has come in and done really well today.
"Royce Turville was missing today. Unfortunately, he's picked up a virus and let us know on Thursday. He seems to having some back luck. He got a few games in and then we got the bad weather and then he picks a virus up but I'm sure he'll be back for Tuesday.
"The Loughborough game should go ahead and we are looking forward to it. We've played them twice and played them off the park but not won either game so it would be nice to go and play rubbish and win for a change!
"We do owe them and I've just said to the players that it's no good winning one game and then losing the next. We've got have a succession of winning games now and not losing and that's what we'll be concentrating on now until the end of the season.
"Danny Holmes is back and available. Unfortunately, we couldn't get him on today but we have quite a few options on the bench. Yes, we were missing Royce today but I thought Rob Spencer did an excellent job upfront. He never stopped working and was involved in the play.
"When we play the formation we have been playing it's key we have that player up front who brings it all together, he's our pivot point and Royce plays that really well.
"Mats Morch didn't have much to do but right at the end he pulled a save out of the bag for us. He was very disappointing for us against Belper but he's always come back and I thought he was excellent today. He commanded his area, his kicking was good and he kept us in the game. All round Mats has played really well today and showed the true class he's got. He will be a good goalkeeper."
