Solihull Borough vs Gresley Rovers
Gresley went to Solihull Borough looking for their second win of the season after dispatching Yate Town on Saturday.
Manager Gary Norton knew his side would face a much sterner test and so it proved.
Gresley’s first attack on 2 minutes showed their intent. A Gary White free kick found Jamie Barret who could only put his header over the bar.
Solihull had their first chance when Gresley defender Matt Smith, returning to his former club, brought down Andy Lovelock. Dave Haywood hammered in the free kick from 25 yards that keeper Dale Belford did well to parry and then to react quickly to the follow up from Nick Heath blocking the shot with his legs.
Richard Wardle released Shaun Harrad on 21 minutes but Harrad’s shot went straight at Borough keeper Mike Payne.
On 34 minutes Gresley were awarded a free kick 25 yards out that was taken by White. He hit a vicious kick that Payne did extremely well to get a fingertip to and tip over the bar.
Moments later Gresley went close again. Harrad easily got rid of his marker Martin Heir down the right and put in a delightful pass into the box were Steve Lenagh was waiting. Lenagh carefully placed his shot which looked goalbound until getting a deflection off Stuart Hamilton sending the ball for a corner.
On 39 minutes it was Solihull’s turn to go close. Gresley defender Leigh Everitt appeared to miskick a long ball played in by Hamilton and as Paul Hunter raced to take advantage the defender, to his immense credit, recovered to make a superb tackle denying the striker.
The first 15 minutes of the second half was much the same as the first with very few chances presenting themselves as both defences and midfield cancelled each other out.
However, on 62 minutes the home side had a very good chance. Belford did well to get a hand to a corner by Haywood but the ball only went as far as Lovelock who inexplicably missed an open.
Chances were still at a premium for both sides and the game looked to be heading for a certain 0-0 draw until the incident that saw Gresley take all three points.
With the final whistle ready to be blown a White free kick was headed powerfully towards a certain goal beating keeper Payne when defender Peter Barry tipped the ball over the bar.
The referee had no option but to award a penalty and amazed everyone when he did not even book the very fortunate Barry for his misdemeanour.
Harrad, who scored a penalty on Saturday, again took the kick and sent Payne the wrong way netting the winner for Gresley and his second goal in as many matches.
Gary's view of the match
"It's a massive boost to get all 3 points when it looked like we were going to earn a hard fought point.
"I'm obviously delighted with the result and especially the clean sheet. We looked solid at the back and defensively that was our best performance of the season to date. Our work rate, passion and desire throughout the side has been of the highest order during the last few games and tonight, it was there in abundance again.
"It's difficult to pick out individuals after such a good performance but I was especially pleased for Matt Smith who was back at his old club and I must say that tonight was probably his best game for us this season.
"Danny Haynes continues to look a class act and the full backs of Cheetham and Everitt were awesome. Jamie Barrett and Gareth Holmes get better with every game and the two front lads gave us everything again tonight.
"However, it's important that we forget about tonight and look to concentrate on what will be a tough game against Bedworth on Saturday. The staff and players know that it will be a tough game and we need to keep our feet on the ground and work rate up to try and ensure we can get another important result."
Solihull Borough (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (0) 1
Scorer: Harrad 90 (pen)
Solihull Borough: Payne, Hamilton
(Rowe 56), Haywood, Preston, Hier, Barry, Heath (King 71), Titterton (Thomas 69), Hunter, Cooper, Lovelock. Subs not used: Hewitt, Hawker.
Gresley Rovers: Belford, Everitt, Cheetham, Smith, Haynes, Barrett, Wardle (Doughty 74), Holmes, Harrad, Lenagh, White. Subs not used: Branch, Moran, Hebberd, Slater.
Rovers Star Man: Jamie Barrett – never stopped battling in midfield.
Referee: W Ramsey (Coventry).
Attendance: 206
