Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Redditch United
Gresley Rovers left it late to shake the highflying visitors but could have grabbed a point at the death.
Within the first two minutes Gresley could have been 2-0 up when Steve Lenagh ran on to a through ball from Richard Wardle and sent in a cross that new signing David Berks played back to fellow debutant Carl Francis but his shot was deflected for a corner.
Then on 2 minutes a Leon Doughty cross was not cleared and Gareth Holmes shot was deflected onto a post by a Redditch defender.
Gresley went close again on 4 minutes this time Matt Smith put his header over the bar from a Berks corner.
Two minutes later the home side were still putting the visitors under pressure and a swift move down the left led to Lenagh's pass to Francis who unfortunately scuffed his shot that went straight into the keeper's arms.
On 16 minutes Gresley had a decent penalty appeal turned down when Doughty was upended in the area but referee Mr Sinclair waved away the protests.
Having survived the pressure for the first 16 minutes or so Redditch began to take control.
On 27 minutes Gresley keeper Dale Belford easily held a header from Robert Sawyer but 4 minutes later he was beaten by a superb volley.
A high ball into the area was headed away by Smith but only to Richard Burgess who chested the ball down before cracking in his volley over the head of the helpless Belford from just outside the area.
Redditch doubled their lead on 39 minutes. Gresley again failed to clear the danger and substitute Richard Softley was fortunate to see his shot go into the net.
Within two minutes of the re-start Gresley almost pulled back a goal. Leigh Everitt's pass found Francis who laid the ball back for Doughty to fire just past the upright.
On 52 minutes Redditch got their third. Gresley allowed them to fire in a short corner that Richard Leadbetter scored from with a bullet header.
On 65 minutes Belford was on hand to deny Sawyer after grabbing his shot at the second attempt.
Eight minutes later Mark Taylor should have made it 4 for the visitors but he hit his shot well over when very well placed.
On 79 minutes Gresley reduced the deficit. Francis was making his way into the area and had his shirt sleeve almost pulled off by a Redditch defender and the referee awarded a spot kick that Lenagh converted easily sending Richard Anstiss the wrong way.
The home side now sniffed a chance and piled on the pressure. On 83 minutes a Lenagh shot was only parried by Anstiss and the ball bounced agonisingly the wrong side of the post.
Six minutes later Gresley got their second goal – and a good goal it was. Belford launched a long kick that Lenagh helped on to Francis who took the ball down dashed towards the area before sliding the ball past the stranded Anstiss.
Gary's view on the game
"I'm disappointed with the defeat. Redditch are a very good side with some quality players.
"I was disappointed after the good solid start we made to the game where we created two good opportunities and I felt we were the better side for the first 25 minutes and we had a good foothold in the game.
"They then had a good little spell in the game. The first goal, to be fair, was a great goal and it seemed to knock the stuffing out of us a little bit and we really didn't recover from that. The second goal we let their lad get his head instead of pressing him a bit more and he slid the ball through and from where I was it looked a good finish and we were two nil down.
"To be two-nil down at half time after all our hard work in the first 35 minutes was a bit demoralising but it gave us the opportunity to see how the players would react.
"At half time we rallied round. The lads thought they'd had a good half and were unfortunate to be two-nil down.
"We felt that if we came out for the second half and got at them and had a bit more belief in ourselves then we would get something out of it. But it didn't happen. The third goal was a well-worked corner but we were sloppy with our marking and the guy got in and scored making it three-nil.
"To be fair no heads dropped and they all kept battling. We got the penalty and it seemed to lift the lads. The pity was that it came as late as it did.
"We then started to do the things we'd discussed at half time. We were putting the ball into good areas and closing them down and when we got the second goal Redditch were all over the shop. I was disappointed that there was not more time to be added on. The ref only added 90 seconds and there were 5 substitutions plus some injuries so I don't know how they worked that one out. I'm not trying to tell the refs how to do the job but I felt there should have been another minute or so to be added on.
"I'm probably just picking bones really. We've lost to a good side who have a budget of nearly £3,500 a week if the reports are to be believed. I'd love to have that sort of money to bring in players and play those sorts of wages but we have to be realistic.
"I'd rather had every single one of the lads we have here because none of them play for the money, they play because they want to play for Gresley Rovers.
"Yes Redditch have the resources and are well organised and they are the team to beat. For short periods of time we matched them but for long periods we didn't and I know we've still got some work to do.
"There are positives to come out of the game. We've given two lads their debuts and we've been bold and changed things around. We've had to because of the injury situation. Carl Francis did well on his debut and took his goal superbly well. David Berks did all right but he was off the tempo of the game a little but it will come when he gets match fit. He did, however, put some good balls into areas and he's got good feet so there were some positives there. Gareth Holmes did exactly what we wanted him to do and he did well.
"It was just disappointing after such a positive start. Neither goalkeepers had a lot to do even though there were 5 goals. It would have been very easy to have thrown the towel in after going down three-nil to a side like that, But, to be fair, no heads dropped and it was just unfortunate that the goals came so late in the game. If we'd have nicked another and made it three-three I have stood here a very happy man! "
Gresley Rovers (0) 2
Redditch United (2) 3
Scorers: Lenagh (pen) 79, Francis 90 (Gresley Rovers); Burgess 31, Softley 39, Leadbetter 52 (Redditch United).
Gresley Rovers: Belford, Wardle (Slater 68), Everitt, Smith
, Haynes, Holmes, Doughty, Barrett, Francis, Lenagh, Berks (Alexander 68). Subs not used: Walshe, Hebberd, Pitt.
Redditch United: Anstiss, Clarke, Sucharewycz, Taylor, Knight, Sawyer, Hall (Softley 34), Mayers (Hill 72), Leadbetter, Burgess (Sheppard 65), Quiggin. Subs not used: Cowley, Gigio.
Rovers Star Man: Leigh Everitt – worked hard.
Referee: L Sinclair (Brierley Hill).
Attendance: 396
