Derbyshire Senior Cup Quarter Final
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Tuesday, 14th December 2004, 7.45pm
Gladiators vanquished
Some of the supporters were heard to mumble their thoughts about watching the 'reserves' but, at the end of the game I'm sure the same ones could not have complained that they didn't get their money's worth!
Gresley manager, Gary Norton, had injury problems, suspension, ineligibility and illness to contend with in what is already a 'small' squad. So, he gave the opportunity to some of the younger players from the reserves and youth team and to some of the first team squad who do not command a regular place to play against a quality opposition. And, to their credit, they took the chance with both hands pulling off what was certainly the surprise of the season for Norton.
As was expected, Matlock Town applied the early pressure and went close on 7 minutes when a header from James Lukic flew over the bar from a corner.
Gresley keeper James Pemberton did well to deny Gary Webster on 20 minutes pushing the shot out for a corner. However, from the resultant flag kick the Gladiators took the lead with Ian Clarke's in swinging kick flying straight in at the far post.
Far from being intimidated Gresley went down the other end and got back on equal terms. Liam Hebberd did well down the right before sending over a cross to where Sukhy Heer was waiting and the debutant, one of four, slammed home a superb volley past Kevin Tye.
On 28 minutes Pemberton was back in action this time making a fine fingertip save from Lukic's stinging shot. The corner almost gave Matlock the lead again but Ken Bowler's kick came back off the crossbar.
Another of Gresley's debutants went close on 37 minutes. Having made good headway down the left Alex Bolt unleashed a vicious shot from the edge of the box that flew just over the bar.
Gresley had Pemberton to thank for yet another fine save blocking Webster's shot from close in.
The home side had their best half after the interval. Danny Cox, also making his first appearance in the senior side, was denied by a block from Tye just after the hour mark. On 71 minutes Bolt had another chance after some fine work by O'Connor but the youngster's shot missed the mark by just a fraction.
Four minutes later Pemberton was again called on to push Clarke's shot away but the rebound found Simon Barracough who could only put his shot into the side netting.
Gresley took the lead on 80 minutes. Bolt had been put through by O'Connor and as he skipped around Tye the keeper brought him down. As Tye was the last man everyone in the ground was expecting a red card but amazingly the referee decided otherwise and only brandished a yellow.
However, Gresley got the justice they deserved from the free kick. Andy Marlowe tapped the ball to O'Connor who fired in an unstoppable rising shot into the top far corner leaving Tye a mere spectator.
Matlock almost grabbed extra time with five minutes remaining when Barraclough in space, tried to chip Pemberton only to land the ball into the grateful keepers arms.
Manager's View
"To be totally honest with the side we put out tonight I didn't think we had a hope! As the manager of the club it's probably the wrong thing to say. But, when I saw that they had put predominantly the side main out who are a league above us and we'd got half the reserve team out there I didn't give us much of a shout.
"When we went one nil down I feared the worst although it was a sloppy goal straight from a corner, but we got stuck in and I felt the chances they had were from our mistakes.
"At halftime I said we were lucky to be one - one. It was a great goal from Sukhy - a great cross from Andy Dunn found Sukhy in the box, where we'd asked him to be and he took the goal really well and I'm delighted for him.
"Second half I felt we were the better side and the longer the half went on we were getting half opportunities - getting the two quick lads in upfront. Leading up to our second goal I felt their keeper should have been sent off for bringing our player down - I don't like to see it - but the same thing happened against Kidsgrove and that keeper only got a yellow. I'm sure if it happened to us we'd get the red card because that's been our luck with cards this season.
"But having said that Aaron's free kick was absolutely fantastic deserved to win any game.
"I don't think anyone in the ground expected this win. I wanted the supporters to see what the future is and I wanted to give some of these guys the opportunity. If anyone knows the current position with regards the squad surely could not fault me for giving players an opportunity and resting a few.
"What can I say? We've beaten the holders and we're into the semi finals without really planning for it. These guys were given the chance to play against some high quality opposition and to come out with some pride. I've been in charge of the first team for around eighteen months now and have seen some highs and lows and I'll be totally honest that was one of my proudest moments during my time here at Gresley Rovers. Not just as first team manager but in other capacities as well.
"I was stuck for words in the dressing room. The lads have come out with massive credit. Yes, we made mistakes; Yes, there were individual bit's and bobs we need to work on. But, put that aside the effort, application and the attitude of everyone of those lads including the first team players who do not get a regular game, Andy Marlowe, Sean Gummer was fantastic.
"It was a bonus to have Matt Smith playing tonight and he was absolutely superb just what you look for in your captain. He held us together in the first half when we were being pulled about a bit and he's guided some of the young lads through. Ashley Dodd, Sean and Andy have all used their experience, Aaron was talking to the young lad up front, Alex Bolt and they looked dangerous as a pair."
