Build Base FA Vase First Round
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 31st August 2019, 3.00pm
Captain Fantastic Fires The Win For Gresley
Gresley have been on the wrong end of some late goals this season but today they were on the right end.
A free kick taken by captain Albert Lansdowne ended Gresley’s winless start to this new campaign to give his side a much sought after victory and a place in the next round of the Buildbase FA Vase.
Caretaker manager David McDonald named the same starting eleven that went so close to taking all three points against Heather on Bank Holiday Monday.
The first half was a tight affair with neither side making any clear-cut chances. Both sides were defending well and it wasn’t until the 15th minute that there was a shot on target when Samuel Marshall tested Gresley keeper Ben Allsop who pushed the effort away.
Gresley’s first shot on target appeared just after the half hour mark with James Bennett-Tindall firing Joe Haines cross from the left straight at away keeper Michael Langley. Allsop did well again minutes later making a superb save from point blank range.
Chances were still at a premium, but McDermott had one last chance at the end of the first half turning well in the area firing straight at Langley.
Gresley started the second half brightly with arguably the best move of the game. Nehemia Zazi put a pass into McDermott’s path who in turn slipped the ball to Haines on the left. Haines raced into the area but fired into the side netting.
Winsford began to have most of the possession in the second but a mixture of wastefulness in front of goal and some solid defending from the home side meant for all their endeavour they could not score.
They did get a chance on 59 minutes with Damiam Skolorzynski’s strike from distance having to be parried by Allsop for a corner. McDermott shot wide and for the visitors Daniel Kerr was also off target.
Winsford were still pressing hard with Sam Madeley firing just over from 22 yards followed by him heading a cross wide of the far post. It just wasn’t Madeley’s day firing a shot straight at Allsop from a good position.
The visitors were turning the screw and a goal looked inevitable but Gresley would not be breeched. Substitute Sam Fitton made a good run down the left but his final shot was well blocked by Allsop followed by James Blair curling a shot narrowly wide of the far post.
A further 30 minutes looked very likely until Gresley won a free kick 20 yards out and to the right of the ‘D’. The wall was set up and the keeper took his position near the far post. Captain fantastic Lansdowne took the kick and his superbly struck low free kick curled around the legs of the wall and into the only place to beat wall and keeper flying into the bottom near corner with Langley grasping at thin air.
The relief from players and supporters was seen with the joyous celebrations both for the goal and when the referee blew the final whistle.
Gresley will now host FC Oswestry Town who beat Bustlehome 6-0 at home on Saturday 14th September.
