Match Photos
Shepshed Dynamo vs Gresley Rovers
This was as comfortable a victory as Gresley Rovers have had all season. A large traveling support saw a fairly one-sided affair with visiting keeper Dale Belford hardly troubled throughout the game.
Gresley made the early running and on 5 minutes had the first attempt on goal. Richard Wardle met a Gary White cross but he could only put his header wide of the target.
On 12 minutes Gresley should have taken the lead. Jamie Barrett flicked on a White through ball and has Francis sped into the box with the ball he was hacked down by Carl Turner. Referee Carl Henry did not hesitate and pointed to the spot.
The kick was taken by Wardle but home keeper Richard Keeling, diving to his left, made a decent save to keep things on equal terms.
Shepshed seemed to settle after that and on 22 minutes went close themselves when a thunderous volley from Simon Fosdick whistled just over the bar.
Gresley were denied the lead on the half hour when Keeling dived to gather a ball from Barrett. The ball rebounded off the keeper's midriff and Wardle popped up to grab his chance and slotted the ball into the empty net. To everyone's amazement the referee adjudged that Keeling had had control of the ball and awarded the very fortunate keeper a free kick.
However, Gresley got their just rewards just seven minutes later when a shot from Carl Slater was deflected by a defender to Barrett who coolly slotted the ball home.
Five minutes before the break Gresley almost doubled their advantage. A white free kick was headed clear only as far as Andy Cheetham whose first time volley was well saved by Keeling.
Shepshed's keeper was in action seconds later when he again had to pull off a fine save to deny a header from Wardle.
In first half injury time Matt Smith met White's corner with a powerful header that was cleared off the line by Prindiville.
The second half was virtually all one-way traffic with Shepshed manfully trying to keep out wave after wave of Gresley attacks.
On 53 minutes Francis, who'd been causing all sorts of problems for the home defenders, latched on to a ball and flew down the left flank only to have his run blocked. He laid the ball on to Barrett whose first time shot blazed over the bar.
Three minutes later Wardle made a good run into the area before passing to White but again the shot went wide.
On 58 minutes Cheetham made a run down the left before sending in a dangerous cross but Francis failed to get control of the ball and the chance was gone.
However, the constant pressure was sure to reap its rewards and on 63 minutes Gresley doubled their lead.
Barrett's cross was superbly controlled by White who then turned before hitting a vicious shot past Keeling and into the top corner of the net from 18 yards.
With 20 minutes of the game still to go Gresley manager Gary Norton brought on Steve MacKenzie making his debut in place of the injured Slater.
The former Manchester City player made an immediate impact for within 3 minutes of being on the pitch he'd scored Gresley's third goal.
MacKenzie collected the ball about 20 yards from goal and after some neat footwork unleashed an unstoppable shot past Keeling and into the bottom corner of the net.
Gary's views on the game
"I felt we were in control for most of the game. But, having said that we didn't take all our chances in the first half and going in only one up at half time the game was very, very open.
"We tried to make the lads very guarded even though we've beaten Shepshed twice at home this season. They are a very difficult side to beat on their home patch. They've drawn 10 games so far this season and several of those have been at home against the likes of Redditch, Rugby, Bromsgrove and Solihull and have drawn away at Halesowen along with a couple of other draws at home against lesser sides.
"So we got into the lads mentality that this was going to be a very difficult place to come and get three points. But, it didn't prove as difficult as I though it would be.
"In the first half we could have done with that second goal. I was a bit nervous after Richard Wardle had missed his penalty. Then we had one or two other chances with the ball cleared off the line and the keeper made a save. I felt that Richard's goal, when he got the ball out of the keeper's hands was OK. A couple of Shepshed supporters said he shouldn't have been penalised.
"Richard responded magnificently. But, that's him down to a tee. He's missed the penalty and got his head straight up. I said to him at half time in the dressing room that I'd back him again to take the next one. Fortunately, it's not cost us anything. Richard apologised at half time, but I told him there was no need and if we got another penalty in the second half I'd want him to take it.
"One nil at half time. We'd matched their work rate in the first half - they are a busy side. I've watched them several times this season and they do work hard. But I felt we had the edge in terms of quality and if we kept doing the right things, working hard, closing them down that our quality would show.
"Gary White's goal to give us a two nil lead was special. He shouldn't have been playing. Two days ago he was suffering from his knee again then last night he phoned me to say it was felt fine. We gave him a test before the game and with next week in mind we thought we'd chuck him on and he's had a very, very good game today. He put in some good balls into the box and capped it off with a great goal, which gave us that cushion and we I felt that we could have gone on, and scored two or three more.
"I felt Jamie Hood was fantastic again. He's come in and very quickly gelled into the squad.
"Carl Francis up front ran his socks off. Two or three weeks ago his confidence was very low and he was suffering a little with his fitness. But, he's gone out there again today and proved why he's a valuable member of our team.
"Jamie Barrett has done a fantastic job for us again up front so plusses all round.
"There was the inspired substitution for the third goal. Mr Hinks had been pressurising me for the previous 20 minutes to put Steve MacKenzie on up front and he's done well and shown why we signed him on. We had a full-scale training match last Tuesday and he looked good. His movement was good and I was especially impressed with his passing. Today, his feet movement to shift the ball from one foot to the other and his strike was great and wrapped up a fine day for us.
Shepshed Dynamo (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (1) 3
Scorers: Barrett 37, G White 63, MacKenzie 70
Shepshed Dynamo: Keeling, Jones, Prindiville, Stevens, Turner (Wczasek 58), D Williams, Johnson (T Williams 63), A Smith (Drewitt 73), Emery, Mackay, Fosdick. Subs not used: Litchfield, Harland (gk).
Gresley Rovers: Belford, Haynes
, Cheetham, Smith, Hood, Slater (Mackenzie 67), Wardle (Sylla 77), Holmes, Francis (Leanagh 85), Barrett, White. Subs not used: Doughty, Alexander.
Rovers Star Man: Jamie Barrett – worked hard.
Referee: C Henry (Northamptonshire).
Attendance: 303
