Atherstone Town vs Gresley Rovers
Team : Pemberton, Vernon, Cox (c), Gadsby, Grosse, Smith, Dunn, Heer, Rowell, C White, Mawbey, Miller, Holmes, Whetton, Hall, Farrell.
A decent game today from both sides, played on a difficult pitch, although it did hold up better than I thought it would. Gresley started the game bright enough and always looked as though they should win, but we shouldn't be deceived by Atherstone's low league position. I thought they had good movement upfront, through the midfield and seem to be improving.
Gresley applied a lot of early pressure but struggled each time to just find that final pass, or when they did just get a finishing touch. Chris White, Sukhy Heer, Chris Mawbey and Andy Dunn had close shots early on. Our defence played fairly solidly all game, yet Atherstone could have took the lead twice early on. Some good movement saw the Atherstone forward in for goal but Gresley keeper James Pemberton was equal to him.
Eventually though, the breakthrough came, Rowell pressed forward and as Dunn and White drew players either side , Rowell checked inside and side footed a fine goal into the corner from the edge of the box. This was a good day for Rowell, and playing along side the experience of White, has seen improved performances.
After this Gresley looked rarely troubled and it was a case of could we finish the game off. Even so, it was Atherstone who ended the last few minutes well with a series of corners that Gresley pleasingly dealt with well.
Atherstone came at Gresley well in the second half as we new they would. Two one on ones could have lead to an equaliser but from more fine stops from Pemberton.
Gresley made it two after about ten minutes when White latched onto a poor back header and finished very well. This was the killer blow for Atherstone and Gresley soon had a third when Mawbey found himself on the back post and fired home.
Gresley at this point were dominating but then lost their way as they lost their shape. Players went pushing forward and this allowed Atherstone to create good chances on the break as we found ourselves the wrong side of the ball. Solid defending though, in particular from Paul Grosse, kept a clean sheet.
With about twenty five minutes left we began to make changes, Matt Holmes came on the left and Mawbey dropped to left back for the injured Danny Cox. Joe Miller returned after a long injury to replace Dunn on the right. Both had an immediate effect in very different ways. Miller was to add some strength and sure things up whilst Holmes pace and quick feet were to cause Atherstone all sorts of problems. With about twenty minutes left Whetton replaced White and Gresley moved up another gear.
With three 16 year olds going forward at pace Gresley seemed to have a new lease of life. In the final twenty minutes they could have had seven or eight but for some great stops from the Atherstone keeper. Matt Holmes was devastating down the left and was denied four times in a row from getting his first goal. Miller looked bright on the right, Rowell continued where White had left off and Whetton also looked sharp. The score however stayed 3-0 but so many positives today.
Our defence kept a clean sheet. Pemberton showed consistent quality, especially in the air. Gadsby and Grosse have formed a good partnership in the centre. Our full backs were so much better with their passing today in particular Cox. Vernon, is starting to settle in well and we saw a lot more of what he is capable of. Greg Smith and Heer continue to control midfields, Dunn has put in much improved displays. Mawbey continues to impress despite me changing his position a few times. Rowell got back on the score sheet, which he needs but his game on the whole is still moving along well. Great to see White back. He's a class act and when fully fit will be a great asset to the first team.
Good to see Miller back too, along way before he is back to full fitness, but pleasing he's on his way. Matt Holmes is a very exciting prospect. I have coached him since he was 12 and know just what he is capable of. He has done everything in the right manner and I hope he continues to do so, as there is still along way to go to fulfil his potential. Another prospect is John Whetton, getting bit parts when he can but has a bright future.
Special mention to Hall and Farrell who travelled without a game. It is difficult but it's a squad game and everyone at times has spells in or out, but with a strong squad it is never for long.
Little bit about each player as I thought they deserved it today. We achieved 25 points today after 13 games, that's one more than our final total for the whole of last season. We have scored more goals too. So congratulations to all for that.
Still much to do.
Dave Acton.
