Loughborough Dynamo vs Gresley Rovers
Gresley Reserves travelled away to an inform Loughborough team. Despite their poor start to the season, they had recently won their last few games an it seems an obvious influx of personal from the university may have helped. Gresley stayed with the same side and formation as last week. The only change was Dunn being brought in for Carter who returned to the first team.
However, it very soon became apparent that this game was very different to last weeks. Our 4-5-1 never really worked as we missed Carter linking with the front man. Against the Loughborough 4-4-2 we found we had three midfielders against their two and only one front man against their four. This allowed Loughborough to much time at the back and to constantly attack us as they were finding it easy to pick the clearances up at the back and start their attacks again. Even so Gresley could and should have taken the lead when some fine link up play from Rowell and Williams saw Williams final shot just miss the far post. Gresley also gained a couple of good free-kicks in dangerous areas, but failed to get anything positive from them.
This was not a good performance from Gresley. Players were frustrated and disappointed with themselves after last weeks game and it was showing. Our passing was not good and we struggled with confidence to build anything from the back. Loughborough however, were being able to apply a lot of pressure without taking advantage. Some good defending helped the Gresley lads a lot.
With about twenty minutes of the first half left we changed to a 4-4-2. It immediately paid off. Suki Heer and Greg Smith were far to good for the Dynamo midfield. Dunn pulled out onto the left and Yearsley went upfront. With about 5 minutes to go Gresley took the lead when Dunn went down the left, received the pass, and delightfully chipped the advancing keeper.
Great time to score and we thought we would take that into the half-time break. Unfortunately a great twenty-five yard strike from Loughborough levelled things up.
Half time and a few players sorted themselves out, the team sorted the best way to turn things round and a much better second half was produced.
This was more like last week and we battled ourselves back into the game. With about 15 minutes gone Willaims pulled the ball back for Smith to hammer home. Then not long after Pat Rowell sealed the game when his strike was poorly judged by the keeper and we were 3-1 up. Chances came thick and fast and to be fair we should have scored more. However we didn't.
Kye Hall came on for Yearsley and Blair for Dunn. Joe Miller replaced the injured Heer. The game remained three - one.
This was a really good result away from home. I was really pleased with the way we changed and adapted our formation. Also the way we bounced back in the second half.
Unfortunately I am now away for the next three games. I am gutted. Steve Thorpe will sit in for me, and with the help of the players I hope so much we can continue the good start we have had. I know they will give it their best shot.
Team from: Kennyson, Gadsby, Cox(c), Mawbey, Grosse, Smith, Williams, Heer, Rowell, Dunn, Yearsley, Miller, Hall, Blair, Macedo, Allen.
