FA Trophy 3rd Round
The Lamb, Tamworth
Saturday, 15th January 2005, 3.00pm
Lambs go nap!
Gresley Rovers knew that they were in for a tough task as they faced National Conference side Tamworth at The Lamb in the 3rd Round of the FA Trophy, and so it proved.
For the majority of the first half the visitors gave as good as they got but found themselves with a two-goal deficit at the break. The second period belonged to Tamworth as their movement, passing and finishing were clearly on a different level than that of the Moatmen.
Gresley started well and on 8 minutes a free kick taken by Matt K Smith sailed over the bar. Tamworth then replied a minute later when Bob Taylor fired in a shot that Gresley keeper Dale Belford did well to save. On 14 minutes Belford had to deal with a shot on the turn from Tristram Whitman.
Gary White saw a free kick two minutes later deflected for a corner as Gresley tried to put some sort of pressure on the home defence. Emeka Ejiofor did well to hold the ball up down the left before passing to Ashley Dodd but the midfielder's shot went high over the bar.
On 20 minutes Tamworth went close when Marcus Ebdon's corner from the left was just headed over by Taylor.
The visitors had their first real chance on 24 minutes. Ejiofor's flicked header found Aaron O'Connor just inside the area but the ball landed just a foot or so in front of the striker and stretching he couldn't get on the end of it.
It was Gresley's best spell in the game as they pushed their Staffordshire neighbours back and they had their best chance on 29 minutes. Karl Brown picked out John Branch on the right but his shot was blocked by a defender and the ball went out for a corner. O'Connor put a header over from the resultant flag kick.
On 31 minutes a free kick by White found Jamie Barrett but his header went straight into the arms of Lambs keeper Chris Neal.
The difference in finishing was evident just a couple of minutes later when Matt Smith's clearance was charged down and the ball clinically put past the outstretched arms of the diving Belford by Mark Cooper.
With just a couple of minutes remaining of the first half Tamworth doubled their advantage. Scott Stamp's long throw was not cleared and the ball found Ebdon who curled a precise shot round Belford and into the top corner of the net.
Gresley were hoping for an early response in the second period to get themselves back into the match. However, it was the home side that got the goal as they went on to dominate the half.
Lee Colkin, who had replaced Stamps at the break, made headway down the left and his cross deflected off Dodd to Taylor. His quick thinking completely flatfooted the Gresley defence as he cleverly back heeled the ball into the path of Ebdon who didn't need asking twice as he hammered his shot home with the help of a post.
Gresley, to their credit, kept their heads up and on 59 minutes Ejiofor put a shot across the face of Tamworth's goal but there was no one on hand to take the chance.
Tamworth's fourth goal came from a penalty. Whitman seemed to get the better of Andy Simpson as he raced towards goal and was bundled to the floor by the defender. Ebdon took the chance to complete his hat trick sending Belford the wrong way from the spot.
The Moatmen continued to try and get on the scoresheet with Liam Hebberd heading wide and Branch shooting over from long range.
However, the final say inevitably came from the home side. Colkin, proving to be troublesome down the left for the Gresley backline sent over a fine cross that found Nick Smith who was able to pick his spot as he placed his header past Belford with practically his first touch of the ball.
Manager's View
"Football is a cruel game! First of all I thought we did really, really well in the first half hour of the game and reasonably well for the rest of the 45 minutes. We created the more open chances, Emeka nodded one inside for Aaron but he could not get on the end of it, John Branch had a really good opportunity and we were positive.
"The first goal put us on the back foot. We'd half cleared our lines and it went into midfield to Mark Cooper one touch back and that's a top drawer finish - that's a difference in level.
"I was really keen for us to try and hold out until half time. But their second was a similar goal really and to be fair it was another quality finish when he chipped Dale.
"At half time it was our job to pick the lads up and keep us going in the belief that we could go out there and do it and if we'd have got an early goal in the second half it would have been interesting.
"We conceded an early goal and it wasn't like they'd opened us up and worked their way through us. It was an individual mistake and Ebdon put the ball in and we were three nil down and the game was as good as over. From that moment we weren't in it.
"The fourth goal was another individual mistake when we got beat for pace and gave away the penalty. And the fifth goal we gave away when we didn't deal with a cross.
"There are many positive things we can take from the game that we can work on and hopefully improve and take into our league games.
"Without a shadow of a doubt we've been taught a lesson today. They are a quality side but they haven't ripped us apart. We played a little too deep during the second half and got a little disjointed - it's a cruel game! I feel five nil is a little harsh.
"The quality of finishing stands out at this level especially the first two. We did a job and defended it. Yes, we could have got a little bit more on it maybe but by the time we tried to close down they'd got shots off and it was impressive.
"I pleased with the lads to be honest they've done well. It's the second year on the trot that we've got this far and no-one likes to get beat by that score line but we've had a crack at a Conference team and we weren't good enough at the minute. Our priority is the league and we have a massive game next week away at Colwyn Bay and I've challenged the lads in the dressing room to get back on track and string a few results together and see where that takes us.
"Dale strained a thigh early on in the game so Gary White took a few goal kicks for him but you can't blame Dale for any of the goals. He did Ok; he only had a couple of saves to make so he had a fairly quiet game except for picking the ball out of the net. I wanted someone else to do that for him because of his back going again! It's a shame for him but he's held in very high regard at Tamworth.
"I wish Tamworth and Mark Cooper all the best especially in the Conference. I would like to see them continue what they're doing in their league and wish them all the best in the next round.
"I'm disappointed as everybody is but it's back to the league. We've had some disappointing results and we need to react to that and give the supporters something to cheer about. The majority of them have supported us. Those of them who are not happy at things have a right not to be but hopefully they've come and enjoyed the day. We've not been good enough today but we've now got to get our heads down and concentrate on the league"
