UniBond League Division One
Parkside Road, Kendal
Monday, 30th August 2004, 3.00pm
Gresley go top!
Gresley Rovers went to the top of the table with a solid performance in Cumbria at the home of Kendal Town.
From the off Kendal took full advantage of playing down a slope, that made the Moat Ground seem flat and soon had their visitor's under pressure. They were awarded a free kick 25 yards out after just one minute that was taken by Nigel Taylor - Gresley keeper Dale Belford did extremely well to make the save.
On 15 minutes Kendal had another chance when a cross from Kenny Mayers found Peter Smith at the far post but Gary White was quick to react and robbed him of the ball before he could get off his shot.
Belford then showed why he's regarded as one of the best keepers in the league when he pulled off an amazing save from the corner kick. Mayers connected with the flag kick and his header looked destined for the back of the net but Belford diving full stretch to his right tipped the ball over the bar.
Gresley's first opportunity on goal came after 25 minutes but Sean Gummer could only scuff his shot wide from an Ashley Dodd cross.
On 33 minutes Gummer swung in a corner that was flicked on by Jamie Hood to Jamie Barret who was unlucky to see his header cleared off the line. Another corner from Gummer this time found the head of Andy Simpson and his header was also swept off the line.
Gummer himself went close minutes later but his 30-yard free kick just cleared the bar. Aaron O'Connor had the final chance for Gresley just before the break but his volley also went over.
Gresley came out looking for a goal and they didn't have long to wait. On 51 minutes Justin Rowe ran onto a fine through ball before unleashing a shot that Mark Thornley could only parry but Gummer, following up slotted the ball home.
Kendal came back looking to get back on terms and it needed a superbly timed tackle by man-of-the-match Hood to deny them that chance.
On 64 minutes O'Connor went close when he collected Dodd corner, turned but fired just over the bar.
Kendal got back on terms on 65 minutes. White was off the field receiving some treatment for an injury when Smith scurried down the right before sending over a cross that was met by Ricky Mercer. Simpson tried to clear the header but was unlucky to put the ball past Belford and into the net.
Gresley recovered from the disappointment and regained the lead just six minutes later. Awarded a free kick, Gummer sent over the ball that was well controlled by O'Connor down the left. His cross was only half cleared as far as Hood who fired in a thunderous first time volley from eight yards that beat Thornley.
The home side had two late chances to grab a point when Mayers put a header wide and again when he clipped the top of the bar.
Manager's View
"First half pretty even but we did the business in the second and I couldn't have asked for anymore really.
"From my point of view they represented the best side we've played so far. They were a typical UniBond side and that's what I've been trying to tell the lads that that is what the more established side will be like. They were very, very good going forward, they put in some really good balls and put us under a lot of pressure.
"I was frustrated with the amount of silly free kicks we were giving away again. Their Mayers was probably one of the best forwards in the league - in the five or six UniBond games I've seen so far.
"I said at half time that we were starting to get into it towards the end of the first half. We looked pretty solid and Dale has made a fantastic save from Mayers when he tipped the ball over the bar. Keep doing things professionally in the second half and to set up nice and solid from a defensive foundation and we had a great start with an early goal. It was frustrating to concede a goal down the left wing slot when Gary was off having treatment.
"Yes it was a fantastic performance. I keep telling Jamie Hood to get in those situations because something was going to drop for us. We had a lot of corners and free kicks and the ball dropped for him and he rammed it in and I'm delighted.
"That's seven different scorers so far. We brought Sean Gummer in to score goals from that position and he got us one today - fantastic!
"Justin performed well again today without having any clear cut chances. It's not all about scoring goals but about contributing the work rate and the effort - he will get goals for us. Aaron O'Connor has been patient; he had a chest infection at the start of the season, which made him unavailable for selection. But, he's waited for his chance come on and done very, very well today working hard without getting a goal.
"Last season we didn't have those forward options we have this season and it's a blessing to have them and defensively we looked very, very solid.
"To see the number of away supporters as we did today is very gratifying. It's the longest journey of the season and it was a bank holiday Monday but the support was magnificent. It was very, very noisy and colourful and I could ask for any more. It's an honour to be the manager with that level of support."
