Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Rugby Town
Gresley Rovers 3 - 2 Rugby Town
Scorer: Edwards 3
Team from: Pemberton, Vernon, Cox, Gadsby, Grosse, Mawbey, Holmes, Heer, Williams, Edwards, Elliott, Miller, Dunn, Rowell, Harrison.
Gresley faced a very different Rugby side to the one they met earlier on in the season. New Manager and new players saw a very good side which despite their lowly position in the table, will be taking some points off the top sides and leaving the league anybodies.
The first half was a very even affair. Gresley stayed with a 4-5-1 formation. Chris Mawbey had been drafted into the defensive midfielders roll and Paul Edwards came in for Chris White upfront. It took a little while for Gresley to settle and but for some brilliant keeping from Pemberton, the game could have been beyond us.
We had some good chances too, Andy Elliott just heading over after a good move and a decent Matt Holmes cross. Young Holmes started this game after some good work to earn his chance. Edwards too had come close, but no one could quite make the break through.
The half ended level without score and Gresley had finished the half on the up.
The second half began and Rugby had a good opening spell but without any positive results. Gresley began their spell and a good ball over the top saw Paul Edwards muscle out Rugby's last defender and made sure with a fine finish. Rugby naturally came back at Gresley but there didn't seem to be too much of a problem. Unfortunately the reserves lost their way for a brief spell and failed to deal with a Rugby attack, despite a number of chances to do so. Rugby were determined and scrambled home an equaliser.
Fortunately for Gresley they responded well and were about to enjoy their best spell of the game, helped greatly by some fine finishing and a terrific hat-trick. After coming close a number of times Gresley took the lead again when Edwards crashed the ball home from the edge of the box. The Rugby crossbar still rattling for some seconds afterwards. Edwards had not done yet and drove home a great free-kick to complete his hat-trick.
At 3 - 1 the game looked comfortably Gresley's. Miller came on and started well but unfortunately, shortly afterwards, he and a Rugby player were sent off. So both teams were down to ten men. This opened things up again, especially as a determined Rugby had not given up yet. Andy Dunn replaced Elliott to strengthen our midfield and see out the win. However, with about ten minutes remaining a mis-guided pass went straight to Rugby and they punished us to leave a worrying final few minutes.
Gresley defended well to the end and collected another very valuable three points. This has taken Gresley to joint second and well within a shout of the title again. Unfortunately, as with two previous occasions as Gresley get into a valuable position they fail to make the most of it. This could be the case again.
A tough game this Saturday against favourites Hinckley and Gresley are without a number of players. Cox and Grosse suspended, Pemberton ? Smith injured. Others have decided their futures do not lie at Gresley and have decided to move on. The Reserves numbers have dropped from 27 players to just 13 full time lads in only a few weeks. Even so, what is left is very good and quite capable of beating anyone. If all fit and available.
I am sure whatever happens this weekend, we will give it our best.
Good battling performances the last few weeks against very good sides. Credit and respect to the first team lads who have come into the reserves and done themselves and the club proud.
Dave Acton
