Anstey Nomads vs Gresley Rovers
Anstey Nomads 2 - 2 Gresley Rovers
Two Mick Collins goals earned Gresley Rovers a share of the spoils in their fourth pre-season friendly.
Sloppy marking cost Gresley dearly in terms of the goals the conceded but, equally worrying with the season less than a week away was the injuries sustained by two more defenders Mick Royall and Tony Greaves.
Royall aggravated a thigh strain after just 12 minutes and thinks it will be two or three weeks before he's fit. Greaves, meanwhile, was the victim of a terribly high challenge by Kirby and only time will tell if he'll be ready for the new season after receiving a kick on the hip bone.
Gresley who allowed Anstey far too much possession during the opening stages fell behind in the 16th minute. A swift counter attack by Brooks after blocking a Steele cross was continued by Kirby who found Rue unmarked and with the time and space on his hands he rounded Evans before shooting into an empty net. Only the woodwork denied Anstey a second goal when Andy Gould's header smacked against a post before rebounding to safety.
The introduction of Ian Earley in place of Kevin Baldock gave Gresley more balance. Several times during the closing stages of the first half, the Moatmen came close to levelling.
Nigel Steele a surprise omission from Gresley's starting line-up, shot against a post having previously had a shot blocked before Earley, Fox and Cowlishaw all went close.
Top scorer Mick Collins who has failed to score in just one of Gresley's four pre-season games restored equality from the penalty spot after Earley had been pulled down by Kelly.
Apart from one luck let off when Lee Fox cleared Kirby's header off the line, Gresley took the game to their enterprising hosts and Collins twice missed good chances before putting them ahead in the 61st minute.
Malcom Bailey, Gresley's best player, hit a long ball for Cowlishaw whose neat flick gave Collins his scoring chance between substitute keeper Dowsing and his near post.
It was a lead which Gresley enjoyed for just three minutes. Colin Walker lost possession to Brooks whose short pass found Andy Gould and put under no pressure he proceeded to shoot wide of the stationary Evans.
Twice in the closing stages Gresley could and should have gained a match winner, Steele's accurate right wing cross was perfect for Collins but he headed weakly at Dowsing.
The Steele looking blatantly offside broke clear of the Anstey defence but squandered the chance by shooting straight at the keeper.
Anstey Nomads: Wright, Kelly, Gould S, Brett, Gould A, Burdett, Webster, Kirby, Rue, Wilcox, Brooks. Subs both used: Turner, Dowsing.
Gresley Rovers: Evans, Bailey, Royall (Steele 12), Baldock (Earley 30), Camm (Milton 66), Greaves (Burke 44), Gough, Fox, Collins, Walker, Cowlishaw.
