Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Clevedon Town
Gresley Rovers last game of the season and possibly in the Southern League ended in disappointment at the Moat Ground as visitors Clevedon Town grabbed all three points.
The visitors started the brighter of the two sides and could have taken a very early lead with less than a minute on the clock when Jamie Hood missed Lee Vickerman's cross the ball found Tom Jacobs who turned and fired in a shot just past the post.
Gresley's first chance of any not came on 14 minutes when Brian Barker got his head to a Leon Doughty cross but the youngster could only direct the ball into the keeper's midriff.
A minute later Barker went close again this time putting a first time shot just past the post after a Clevedon defender had deflected Ian Bluck's shot into his path.
Clevedon almost opened the scoring on 25 minutes when Jacobs put a fine ball through to James Springett who darted down the right before flashing a cross-cum-shot across the face of Gresley's goal, the ball ending up just inches away from the target.
The visitors survived a scare when a poor pass back almost beat Clevedon keeper Peter Trego but he managed to scamper back and spare his defender's blushes.
Clevedon did open the scoring on 36 minutes with a superb move. Jacobs cleverly played a one-two with Mike Regan before smashing a first time shot past Dale Belford and into the bottom corner of the net.
Gresley had one last chance to get even on 43 minutes but Barker blazed his shot over the bar.
The home side were finding it difficult to break down a stubborn Clevedon defence with almost all of their attacking moves breaking down in the final third. However, substitute John Branch, on in the place of Barker tried his luck with a volley that was straight at the keeper.
On 75 minutes skipper Andy Cheetham was shown the red card for retaliation. A tackle from Mark Fey on Cheetham saw the Gresley defender take umbrage and he appeared to push the Clevedon player over who made most of the foul much to Cheetham's annoyance.
Shortly after manager Gary Norton brought himself into the action replacing Ian Bluck and was soon in with a chance. One of the best Gresley moves of the game saw Norton smash his shot but unfortunately straight at Trego.
On 81 minutes and with Gresley pressing for an equaliser they got caught out at the back when Guiseppe Sorbora found James Zabek unmarked. He made no mistake slotting the ball past Belford.
Gresley had one last chance of a goal moments later but Shane Andrews managed to just get his head on to a Branch cross as with Norton poised just behind him.
Gary's view of the game
"I'm disappointed that we lost the last game of the season at home. I felt we were still in the game at one-nil down and could have grabbed an equaliser and gone on to win the game but it was not to be. I think 2 –0 was a little harsh.
"The turning point was Andy Cheetham's sending off. We were having our best spell of the game – much better than in the first half – but without making too many chances in the box but I was hoping something would drop for us and we'd get the equaliser. But Andy's sending off put a little bit of pressure on us. I spoke to the officials and Andy after the game and it was very clear-cut and he had to go.
What's been evident all season is the lack of taking our chances in and around the box. We've played some decent stuff but we need to be clinical inside the 18-yard box - we are either a yard off it or their defenders have cleared the ball.
It's been well documented that we are looking to bring in some experienced quality forwards in for next season and maybe a creative midfielder.
"It's been my intention to give Bryan Barker an opportunity to start in the last game of the season and he's done very, very well. He's played little bits in other games so it's been a good experience for him. He needs to work on his strength a little bit, as does Carl Francis. They are both good lads but need to work on their upper body strength because they tend to lose the ball a little too easily at times.
"I've said to the lads all season that it would be disappointing if we ended up out of the top ten but that's done now. I've just thanked the lads in the dressing room for all their efforts. I've learnt hell of a lot and yes, I've made some mistakes but I intend to learn from them and take those lessons into next season that is very likely to be the Unibond Division One."
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Clevedon Town (1) 2
Scorers: Jacobs 36, Zabek 81
Gresley Rovers: Belford, Bluck (Norton 78), Cheetham
, Smith, Hood, Slater, Doughty
, Barrett, Francis, Barker (Branch 57), Wardle. Subs not used: Hebberd, Guiney, Clarke (gk).
Clevedon Town: Trego, Vickerman, Lester, Scott, Andrews, Bale (Long 90), Springett, Zabek, Regan (Fey 65). Jacobs, Sorbora (Dando 87).
Rovers Star Man: Richard Wardle – worked hard.
Referee: P Keane (Bilston).
Attendance: 297
