Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Buxton
Gresley Rovers have still to click into gear although they have at least stopped the run of defeats that have plagued them so far this season.
On 7 minutes Gresley had a half chance when a good cross by Gary White was cleared by a shaky Buxton defence.
However, it was the visitors who had the best clear-cut chance on 10 minutes with a decisive attack that ended with Gresley defender Matt Smith having to make a good block.
Two minutes later it was home keeper Mark Sheils who this time had to save the day when he bravely blocked a shot after Mark Reed was through on goal.
On 14 minutes Gresley went close when Jammie Barrett hit a fine volley from 20 yards that the Buxton keeper Jon Scargill did extremely well to tip over the bar.
Gresley were now beginning to get on top and only a minute later it took another fine save from Scargill to prevent them from taking the lead.
A shot from White was heading for the top corner until Scargill somehow got a heand to the ball and put it behind for a corner.
On 31 minutes Gresley were inches away from the lead. They had been awarded a free kick 25 yards out and Ian Bluck’s kick flew over the wall past the stranded Scargill but cannoned off an upright.
Right on the stroke of half time Bluck had to be carried off the field with suspected cartilage damage with Chris Gray replacing him.
Almost from the re-start Carl Timms thought he was through on goal only for the assistant referee to flag him offside.
On 49 minutes there was another chance for Gresley when Neil Kitching’s header from Liam Hebbered’s cross went straight into the arms of the keeper.
The home fans had only a further minute to wait to see Gresley take the lead, the first time in a match so far, and what a goal it was.
Buxton only half cleared the ball when it was picked up by Gray about 25 yards out and he hit a ferocious first time shot that flew past the keeper into the top corner.
On 59 minutes Gray tried his hand again, this time from a free kick but the ball flew over the bar.
Buxton drew level on 65 minutes because of some slack defending. Gresley had failed to clear the ball down the left and Mark Highfield ran into the area put in a low cross and the unmarked Jonathan Froggatt was waiting to put the ball away at the far post.
Froggatt was in the thick of things moments later when Sheils could only half-punch a Paul Wood free kick. He collected the ball rounded a defender but fortunately put his shot wide of the mark.
Andy Cheetham was than called on to save his colleagues when he manged to get his head to a ball just before Caine Cheetham who was waiting for the chance.
On 80 minutes Buxton missed the easiest of chances when Caine Cheetham’s shot flew over an open goal when well placed.
Gresley have it all to do in the replay at the Silverlands, which Gresley manager Gary Norton described after the game as “a tough task”.
Gary’s views on the game
“I thought it was a good chance to beat them here. We got ourselves in front for the first time in the season but we didn’t work hard enough in defence and allowed them to get back into the game.
“Their final ball into the area for the goal was a great one but I’m looking at the stages building up to it. We got the lead and to give it away as cheaply as we did was disappointing.
“Yes, today’s result has stopped the run of defeats and a few people may say it’s the battling draw that we needed and maybe it is. But from my point of view I thought we could have gone on and won the game.
“We let ourselves down badly when we got into the right areas but the final ball wasn’t good enough.
“We expected Buxton to play like they did. They are a very hard working outfit and very experienced and yes, we are a young side in comparison but I know what our players are capable of. We just weren’t there today, which I find disappointing.
“Going back to their place will not be an easy trip. We’ve got to see what injuries we have. Ian Bluck will definitely be out and there are one or two struggling with work commitments. We will just have to see who’s available for Tuesday.
“This FA Cup game has come at the wrong time for us. And as important as it is, I’d much rather get our league form sorted and get some new players in.
“We looked a little better up top than we have done in recent games but we’re still a million miles from where we want to be.
“Liam Hebberd did well and worked hard and battled well but we are not going to pin all our hopes and aspirations on him because he’s only 18 and we need to look after him and use him wisely. He played today with no pressure on him at all and I thought he did reasonably well and there were some positive signs from him.”
Gresley Rovers (0) 1
Buxton (0) 1
Scorers: Gray 50 (Gresley Rovers); Froggatt 65 (Buxton).
Gresley Rovers: Sheils, Wardle, A Cheetham, Bluck (Gray 45), Smith
, Timms (Moran 61), Barrett, Slater, Kitching (Pitt 73), Hebbered, G White. Subs not used: Bourne, Tate.
Buxton: Scargill, Pinder, J Wood, Anson
, Bevan, Willis, Highfield, Reed, Frogatt, C Cheetham, P Wood (Agus 88). Subs not used: Bullock, Calvin, Axcell, Goddard.
Rovers Star Man: Matt Smith – solid at the back.
Referee: B Coward (Derbyshire).
Attendance: 310
