UniBond League Division One
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 1st January 2005, 3.00pm
All Square
Gresley were hoping to gain revenge for the defeat earlier in the week but it wasn't to be. Indeed, with only two minutes remaining on the clock the Moatmen looked to be starting the New Year in a way they hadn't hoped or wished for.
The game started in relative calm weather conditions except for a neighbouring bonfire causing problems with smoke but as the match progressed the weather got worse and worse with gale force wind and monsoon rain threatening to put an early end proceedings - thankfully the game ran its full 90 minutes.
Gresley made most of the early running but the first real chance on goal came on 13 minutes when it took a superb fingertip save from Shepshed's Simon Baldwin to deny Aaron O'Connor the opening goal.
Two minutes later the visitor's hit back and it needed a well timed last ditch tackle to prevent Wes Armstrong a shot on target.
The play switched to the other end and on 16 minutes Chris Freestone sent David Holmes through but his lob went over Baldwin but also over the bar.
Ashley Dodd had a half chance on 19 minutes sending his shot, on the turn, wide of the mark.
On the half hour Armstrong found Nathan Tate with a good cross but the former Moatman's shot sailed high and wide.
Gresley went close again minutes later when Marc Laws got to a Jamie Barrett cross his header was easily gathered by Baldwin.
On 38 minutes Gary White was the provider of a cross that Freestone met with a diving header but it went straight into the arms of Baldwin.
The home side had two further attempts on goal with Dodd shooting over and O'Connor putting his shot across the face of the goal.
Gresley were hoping to be playing with their backs to the wind for the second period but during the interval the wind changed direction and they were once more kicking against the elements. As well as the now gale force wind there was a downpour of monsoon proportions denying both sides the chance to play any decent football.
The Moatmen were again applying most of the pressure and Baldwin was needed to block O'Connor's shot after the striker had latched onto a Jamie Hood long ball.
On 64 minutes a shot from White beat Baldwin but the ball was cleared by Nick Ghislanzoni who looked well behind the goal line when he made contact with it.
Six minutes later Holmes tried another unsuccessful attempt at a lob as Gresley pushed forward looking for a goal.
Then, on 72 minutes and against the run of play Shepshed took the lead. Some slack defensive play by Barrett allowed Ghislanzoni to put a ball through to Tate who made no mistake firing past Gary Saxby and into the net.
Three minutes later the visitors could have added to their tally but Matt K Smith was on hand to block Armstrong's shot.
A needless foul by Hood on Ghislanzoni caused a melee on the edge of the Gresley box with referee Mr Thompson, after consulting with his assistants, sending both Hood and Ghislanzoni to the dressing room.
With only two minutes remaining substitute Liam Hebberd collected the ball on the left and was allowed the time and space to move forward before cutting inside the box where he fired in a low shot that beat Baldwin.
Manager's View
"I'm disappointed with the one, one we played much better than we did on Tuesday. I may be wrong but they scored with their only shot on target. They battled well again as all side do in this league, but Shepshed have quality all through their side.
"We created chances again first half without having that bit of luck. Second half we had chances - the one from Gary White cleared off the line and other bits and bobs so I'm disappointed with the draw although relieved because we left it late to get the equaliser.
"The conditions didn't help. I said to the lads at half time we'd played against the elements and I was looking forward to putting some sustained pressure on them with the wind behind us but I've never seen conditions change as much and as quickly as that and we were playing into the wind again it was unbelievable. We couldn't get the ball out of our half and the keeper's kicks were coming back on themselves.
"For the supporters it was an exciting afternoon, not for the quality of football played but because it was a local derby.
"Liam did well for his goal. He cut in from the left had a shot and with a little bit of luck it ended up in the net. If the game had gone on I felt we would have nicked it.
"I felt Marc Laws had a good game for us doing what we'd asked off him. Chris Freestone showed, especially in the first half the quality that he's got. Matt K Smith did well and came through the full ninety minutes and I'm just hoping there is no reaction from it."
