Derbyshire Senior Cup Final 1st Leg
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Tuesday, 5th April 2005, 7.45pm
Advantage Gresley!
A four goal lead was more than Gresley manager Gary Norton expected to take to the second leg of the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final but a delighted Norton did remind his players that it was only 'halftime' in the competition.
Gresley opened brightly with Aaron O'Connor bringing out the best in Belper's keeper Lee Wilson who acrobatically tipped over the strikers stinging volley after just two minutes.
Second's later, however, Gresley took the lead. A Gary White corner sent over a goalmouth as crowded as a shower cubicle after a mud-wrestling match to Steve Farmer waiting at the far post who powered home his header.
Belper had a chance a few minutes later when Nathan Tate headed a corner back to Andrew Rushbury. The resulting cross was headed downwards by Ben Walker but it bounced over the bar.
On 11 minutes Gresley went close to doubling their lead when Gary White's free kick was headed back into his own area by a visiting defender to Edwards but the volley flew just over the bar.
The Nailers got back on terms on 15 minutes. A quick throw-in caught Gresley napping and Jason Maxwell flicked the ball on for the lively Walker who managed to get the wrong side of Gary White. Walker was through with only Gresley keeper Dale Belford to beat when a tackle from behind by Gary White brought him tumbling to the floor. Referee Mr Mellor had no hesitation in awarding the penalty - Anthony Danylyk sending Belford the wrong way from the spot kick.
On 33 minutes Tate managed to get in a thunderous cross-cum-shot that Chris Gray managed somehow to get his head to putting the ball over the bar.
Gresley regained the lead with just five minutes remaining of the half. Another corner from Gary White, from the right, was headed home by Matt Smith who had made a great run into the box.
Within seconds of the second half starting Gresley scored again with arguably the best move of the game. Niall Hudson received the ball from the kick off and sent the ball to Edwards who in turn cleverly back heeled the ball into O'Connor's path who then ran through on goal coolly lifting the ball over the advancing Wilson.
Belper didn't look like they recovered completely from the early second half blow as they were a mere shadow of the team that showed in the first half, although they did have a couple or so chances to reduce the deficit.
On 52 minutes O'Connor fastened onto a poor clearance by the Belper defence and scurried down the right laying on a fine ball for Gray. Unfortunately, the final shot swerved fractionally past the post with the keeper beaten.
One of the few second half chances for Belper came on 66 minutes when only the woodwork denied substitute Michael Allsopp from scoring with a header.
Three minutes later Belper's final threat of any note came when a slip from Hudson allowed Maxwell to push the ball past Belford but Niall Hudson made up for his slip by getting back and knocking the ball clear of any danger.
For the final 15 minutes of the game it was all Gresley as they continued to press forward and their reward came on 85 minutes. A Gary White free kick was lofted into the box and, as the Nailers' defence dithered and the keeper in two minds as to come for the ball or stay on his line, Edwards nipped in to nod the ball over the static Wilson.
Chris White came on late and could have added to the score but his shot after receiving Edwards pass went over.
The final say went to Gray in time added on. Jamie Barrett's cross had only been half cleared and fell to Gray who volleyed in an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area giving his side a distinct first leg advantage and a firm grip on the Derbyshire Senior Cup.
Manager's View
"I was surprised by the result tonight, I certainly wasn't expecting that and I'm still a little bit shell-shocked to be honest. But, that said, I'm absolutely delighted - can we do that in the league? That's the question I've asked the players.
"We need to tighten things up defensively but offensively we've created quite a few chances today. We've had a little bit of luck because things that haven't been going in for us in recent game went in for us tonight. A case in point being Chris's goal right at the end. In recent weeks that would had flown over the bar but tonight he's kept control of it and capped a great night off with a fantastic goal.
"I was a little disappointed when we conceded. I think it was about 15 minutes after really and I was so frustrated with the way it came. It was a little cheap - we didn't press the guy who received the throw-in hard enough and we allowed him to get his head up and put a quality ball into the box. They got a header on it and Gary was the wrong side of the man and we have no qualms with the penalty. If he hadn't been brought down he'd have got a free shot anyway. It's disappointing that we've yet again given away a sloppy goal yet defensively.
"It was nice to have a bit of luck from set plays because we've worked hard on them all season. Steve Farmer has come into the side and he looks very threatening. Perhaps, because of the first goal, he took the attention off Smudge and he scored the second goal - fantastic. I'm delighted with that and it was nice to get to half time protecting our lead as well!
"I've every sympathy for Ernie Moss. I think he's a fantastic guy and I've got the up most respect for him. His side were very good particularly on the break. Walker has not been in recent games but he came in tonight and did a fantastic job. They work very hard upfront and caused us problems all night. And defensively we were lucky not to concede more than one. So, yes, I've got every sympathy for Ernie because that wasn't a five one game in my opinion.
"We've had the bit of luck we haven't had recently and key things have gone for us. I came out for the second half and I still had my cup of tea watching Aaron going through on a one-on-one and he finished it very, very well. In recent games when he's had one-on-ones Aaron hasn't had the best of luck so that is a massive confidence boost for him. He's worked his socks off - he's got a great attitude. He's busting a gut to try and win the Derbyshire Senior Cup for us and get us into that top six. For once, he hasn't got to do it on his own. Paul Edwards was fantastic tonight. He set Aaron's goal up with a lovely little flick to put him through and I'm delighted for both of them because they've worked hard in recent games without getting on the score sheet.
"I've stressed to the players in the dressing room that it's only half time. It's very, very important particularly with the fact that we haven't won away from home since November ironically at Belper. I wasn't expecting to have that result to think about in terms of how we approach the second leg. But, from my point of view as soon as the full time whistle went the second leg was the last thing on my mind. I will be concentrating on North Ferriby on Saturday and Eastwood on Tuesday.
"The way we set up for tonight was a little bit more cavalier than in the league games. Our approach to league games is a little bit more cautious. We brought Nathan back in for tonight to give us a bit more of an attacking option and we've asked him not to track back in the first twenty minutes and see how things went and in the first half he caused them some problems down the left. As soon as we went two one in front we asked him to go a little more orthodox in terms of the left hand side.
"We went for it a little more offensively tonight. Chris Gray on the right we gave him licence to go forward and cause problems in the hole and try and push Niall Hudson forward from full back so tonight was taking the game to Belper and it does make you think whether we should change our approach to the league. It's given us food for thought.
"One concern was the number of free kicks we were giving away. With a bit more luck in front of goal and Belper may have got one or two more and made it an interesting second leg."
