Derbyshire Senior Cup 2nd Round
Inkersall Road, Staveley
Tuesday, 23rd November 2004, 7.45pm
Emeka is spot on!
This was not a match to remember. Staveley worked hard and frustrated a determined Gresley side and it took a penalty from Emeka Ejiofor to put a spark into a fairly lack-lustre game.
Gresley had the best of a first half notable for a lack of goalmouth action at either end. The visitors went close when Sean Gummer's acrobatic attempt landed just over the bar. On 32 minutes Gummer was put through by Chris Gray only to half hit his shot causing Joel Armstrong no trouble.
Eight minutes later Armstrong did well to block a fierce drive from Gray as the half fizzled out.
The game took a turn for the better in the second period but was not helped by some, let's say, bizarre officiating affecting both sides that prevented any flowing football to occur.
On 52 minutes a free kick taken by Turner found Jamie Hood whose shot went over the bar.
Two minutes later Staveley made one of the rare excursions into the Gresley area and went close when Fogarty's shot narrowly cleared the junction of the bar and post.
Hood's powerful header on 59 minutes looked odds on a goal but a fine reflex block by Armstrong denied the big defender from opening the scoring.
Turner had a half chance a minute later but his lob failed to clear the onrushing keeper.
The tie looked to be heading for extra time but on 72 minutes Gray found himself one-on-one with the keeper but screwed his shot well wide of the target. Two minutes later substitute Ashley Dodd saw his header blocked on the line as Gresley began to apply some pressure on the home defence.
Five minutes later Armstrong was in action again this time to make a save low down to hold on to a shot from White.
Again Gray had the chance to steal a goal but his shot went well wide of the mark. Jamie Barrett had a shot save as surely the pressure would tell and Gresley would get their breakthrough.
The breakthrough came on 85 minutes. Turner had the ball near the touch line and was turning away from goal when Stave Garrard pulled him down. Referee Mr Mellor had no hesitation in pointing to the spot but unjustly showed the defender a red card.
Ejiofor put the spot kick into the bottom corner to open the scoring despite a brave effort from Armstrong.
Gresley thought they had it won but it took a breath-taking reflex save by Gresley keeper James Pemberton flinging himself full length across his goal to deny Adam Bark's point blank header.
The visitors could have sneaked another goal deep in injury time but White's shot was again blocked by Armstrong.
Manager's View
"It was always about the result tonight not the performance. They are a difficult side and the performance did not really matter because we won the game and all credit to the lads for keeping going.
"In the second half we created lots of chances and we were unlucky not to have won three or four in the end.
"I thought Jamie Hood had a magnificent game and I 'm delighted for him. We shoved Jimmy Turner up to make it three up front in the second half and he got in loads of times and was unlucky. Their keeper made some good saves.
"It was good that the so called fringe players like Andy Marlowe got a full 90 minutes in tonight - Sean Gummer got 70 minutes and the reserves keeper James Pemberton was absolutely immaculate so the exercise was worthwhile."
