FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
The Moat Ground
Saturday, 2nd October 2004, 3.00pm
Play it again!
This was an entertaining and enthralling cup-tie between two attacking teams with both sides having chances to win in it the end.
The only blemish on the day was the injury to Gresley keeper Dale Belford who had to be carried off the field after attempting to save a spot kick.
Gresley started well and were first to notch up a half chance but Jamie Barrett could only put his header wide after just five minutes on the clock.
Belford was called into action on 8 minutes when he had to hold on to a well-hit free kick from just outside the area.
Two minutes later a neighbouring conservatory was more in danger than the Gresley goalmouth as a Hucknall frontman shot high and wide.
Emeka Ejiofor was already causing the Hucknall defence problems and went close on 12 minutes putting his shot on the turn just wide. His persistence paid off three minutes later when he robbed Michael Heathcote of the ball on the touchline and flashed a shot across the face of goal but there were no home player close enough to poke the ball home.
Aaron O'Connor was also proving to be a thorn in the visitors' side and on 19 minutes went close himself expertly turning his marker before seeing his shot blocked by Nathan Winder.
The young striker did not have to wait long for a goal, however. A Karl Brown header put O'Connor through on goal and he made no mistake smashing his shot past Town keeper Matt Taylor for his sixth goal of the season.
Gresley could have doubled their advantage on 36 minutes when Ejiofor ran on to a through ball from Ashley Dodd and despite a slight nudge in the box he managed to fire a shot that was blocked by Taylor.
The home side had certainly had the better of the first half but they ended the half under pressure.
Belford did very well to turn a low drive from Steven Palmer away for a corner right on 45 minutes. Unfortunately in making the save it aggravated an already sore back. The resultant corner was not cleared and Brown brought down Andy Todd in the box although it looked as if he did get to the ball first. Referee Mr Day had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Gary Ricketts took the kick and sent the ball to Belford's right and into the net. But in attempting to make a save Belford was left in agony and had to be carried off the field to be replaced by James Pemberton.
Town took the lead after just five minutes of the interval. Todd managed to get past Matt K Smith down the left side and sent in a cross that found Danny Bacon in plenty of space and his header left Pemberton stranded.
Gresley had been under early pressure but responded magnificently. O'Connor almost got his side on equal terms within a minute. Another superb turn enabled him to fire a low shot that Taylor did well to hold on to near the foot of the post.
On 54 minutes Town almost gifted their hosts a goal when Frazer McHugh's defensive header only just cleared his own crossbar from a Brown corner.
Gresley continued to press and their endeavour was rewarded on 56 minutes. They were awarded a free kick that was swung into the box and only half cleared to Liam Hebberd who quickly put the ball back into the danger area. It was only cleared as far as Dodd who unleashed a superb strike from the edge of the box that beat Taylor's dive.
On 62 minutes only a fingertip from Taylor putting a shot over the bar prevented Dodd from getting his second goal. Ejiofor, just minutes later, also went close but his shot went just wide of the mark.
The final say almost went to Hucknall with just 5 minutes to go. Bacon was put clean through by Mark Smith but Pemberton stood his ground and pushed the shot away for a corner.
Manager's View
"The lads are in the dressing room with their heads down and are disappointed that they did not win the game.
"I thought the football in the first half was some of the finest football we've played all season. We played fantastically well and created some great opportunities and I think Hucknall were a bit surprised.
"The way we conceded their first goal was a bit disappointing. We were thrown the ball back after they'd sportingly put it out. We should have put the ball out deep in their end so they would have to take the throw in. But we gave it back to their keeper who hoofed the ball back up the other end were they got a throw in. All of a sudden the ball is in our box and we gave away the penalty. I thought Karl got something on the ball - he took a big swing at it, toed the ball away but caught the player afterwards and the referee gave the penalty but I thought it was harsh.
"It was frustrating because I felt we'd run our hearts out in the first half and created a lot of good chances and controlled the game. Our two midfielders were superb; our front two were superb and caused them a lot of problems. The defence were nice and solid and to go in one - one was a little demoralising because we'd played some of the best football of the season.
"Dale's injury was a blow. It had been coming. He'll run through brick walls for you and last Tuesday he played through the pain to complete 90 minutes and he's been having treatment on his back most days and it seemed as if it was getting easier. But, then he went and jarred it again just before the penalty and the penalty finished him off. It looks like a sciatic nerve problem but it's a bit early to assess at the moment. James Pemberton came in and he did not make any mistakes. Their second goal wasn't his fault and he's done extremely well for a young boy and I'm very pleased for him. The players have all patted him on the back and he deserves it.
"Aaron was fantastic and he caused them a lot of problems and he's flying at the minute. His goal was superb, a great strike and I'm very pleased with the way he's playing at the moment. He's hard working and he's reaping the benefits of that hard work.
"When we signed Ashley Dodd I did say that he was capable of scoring goals. He brought the ball inside and put it on target. He's had a few shooting chances today that didn't quite go for him. I felt we deserved to get back in the game and I was delighted when it went in.
"The supporters probably felt that this was our best chance of beating Hucknall but I've challenged the players to now go and prove them wrong. We are unbeaten away from home this season, which is a good achievement so far, and we go there with absolutely nothing to lose and we will give it our best shot. If that isn't good enough then so be it! But, I'm very pleased with my players today. I'm very pleased to have played a side two leagues above us and played as well as we did. It's given the players the belief that we can go and get something on Tuesday.
"The satisfying thing is that Gresley Rovers are in the draw for the 3rd Qualifying round of the FA Cup. It's the furthest we've got since to the first round proper in 1998-1999 when we lost to Walsall."
