Match Report  |  Gresley FC vs Basford United

The game started with an impeccably observed one minute's silence.

On a drab and damp afternoon Gresley then went on to light things up with a sparkling display against one of the title favourites with fast flowing attacking football scoring three good goals and having two penalties saved. And, if those penalties had gone in, no-one could have argued with the five-nil score line but as it was it ended three-nil and just as important there was that elusive clean-sheet.

Gresley manager Damion Beckford-Quailey made just one change to the starting eleven against Sheffield in midweek bringing Tendai Chitiza in for Matt Melbourne. On the bench was new signing striker Keenan King who joined the club from Stamford.

The home side started on the front foot and were soon causing problems in the visiting defence with Pearson Mwanyongo giving the Basford left back Billy Bennett nightmares from the off.

Chitiza gave Gresley a great chance to take the lead on 13 minutes when he burst into the area only to be brought down by keeper former Moatman Saul Deeney.

Mwanyongo took the resultant spot kick but an outstanding save by Deeney made amends by diving full length to his right to push the low shot away at the foot of the post.

However, Gresley only had to wait a further 10 minutes before they took a deserved lead. A quick break from deep in their right corner of the pitch saw Mwanyongo collect the ball and race up the wing leaving everyone behind in his wake. He finished the lung busting run with a cross into the box where Chitiza was on hand to smash the ball beyond Deeney.

Gresley could have increased their lead just after the half hour mark when Leandro Browne jinxed his way into the box but hooked his effort over the bar from close in.

Mwanyongo's runs down the right had already caused Basford headaches and he added to their misery with three minutes of the half remaining by finishing another fine run down the flank by squeezing the ball between Deeney and the near post.

Basford began the second half pressing Gresley back but the Moatmen deservedly increased their advantage on the hour when Chitiza collected the loose ball before running into the box and hitting his shot past Deeney.

Basford had hardly tested Gresley keeper Rob Peet but on 65 minutes a corner from the right hit the far post after the goalkeeper had appeared to have been fouled. A series of corners and free kicks from the visitors amounted to nothing but a cross was headed just wide of the far post.

Gresley had another chance to turn the screw on the opposition when Dion Meikle brought down down the irrepressible Mwanyongo in the area. Chitiza was handed the opportunity to complete his hat-trick but was denied by yet another superb save by Deeney.

Basford went close again with a shot that struck the base of the post but the home side had the final chance when Browne cut in from the left but his shot went into the side netting.

This was arguably the best performance of the season so far and even with a three-nil scoreline it would not have flattered Gresley if it had ended five-nil!