Moor Green vs Gresley Rovers
Dangerous David Holmes made a declaration of intent on Saturday that he plans to rebuild his professional career while helping to preserve Gresley's Beazer Premier status.
The 21-year-old Derby based striker played a significant role in three of the four goals which Gresley scored for the first time this season to win a 'six-point' encounter at the Moorlands.
Bristol City-bound Colin Loss has followed Mark Blount, now with Sheffield United, into the full-time ranks and Holmes admitted: "I'd love to have another shot at the big time. I was a professional for one season at Scarborough but I left for financial reasons and I was only playing Sunday football with my mates when Gresley came in for me. I'm really enjoying it here, especially as I'm now a lot fitter than when I first arrived.
"My priority is to help Gresley keep their place in the Premier but I know playing well can help me. If I did get a move, it would be a bit more money for the club."
Holmes was a creator as early as the fifth minute as he cleverly dummied the ball from Richard Denby's free kick which opened the way for Tony Marsden to score with a firm, downward header.
But three minutes later the Moors were level in a move involving Paul Jones, a first minute substitute for concussed Mike Stephenson who was struck in the face by a Graeme Rigg clearance.
Jones' snapshot with his first touch produced a good save from Bob Aston but the ball rebounded kindly to Dave Fearon who scooped it into the net.
After 20 minutes of a frantic first half, Mark Hurst, who had loud claims for a penalty rejected four minutes earlier, further emphasised his growing rapport with Holmes as the pair fashioned Gresley's second goal.
Holmes, who gave Moors defender John Price a tortuous home debut, skipped clear of the left back before delivering the ball into the penalty box which Hurst climbed to meet and beat keeper Chris Taylor with a fine header for his third goal in as many games.
After 35 minutes, the Moors levelled again when Fearon notched his second goal, rising unchallenged to head home from a short corner routine which should have, in fact, been a Gresley throw-in.
Full back Chris Brown had clearly run the ball out as he made progress down the byeline but he was allowed to continue and won the corner and then provided the subsequent cross from which Fearon scored.
A minute later after the re-start, the Moors could – and should – have gained the initiative when Richard Evans burst clear to meet a Phil Davies through pass but lobbed the ball over Aston's bar when it seemed certain to score.
Instead, it was Gresley who regained the lead when Holmes won a corner off Brown and Denby's centre was again forcibly headed home by Marsden.
Marsden's advantage restorer prompted Gresley's most effective spell as they nullified the threat of Davies and Fearon – and struck the Brummie strugglers with a fourth goal.
Holmes blazed over from close range and Marsden was denied a hat trick by a brave stop from Taylor but it was the unsung Ian Straw who made the most of a fortuitous back heel from Marsden to beat Taylor with a clever lob for his first goal for the Moatmen four minutes from time.
Moor Green (2) 2
Gresley Rovers (2) 4
Scorers: Fearon 8, 35 (Moor Green); Marsden 5, 51, Hurst 20, Straw 86 (Gresley Rovers)
Moor Green: Taylor, Brown, Price, Brogan, Gardnier, M Holmes (Steer 76), Davies, Talbot, Fearon, Stephenson (Jones 6), R Evans.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Dick, Rigg, Denby, S Evans, Stanborough, Wardle, Straw, Hurst (Devaney 82), D Holmes, Marsden. Sub not used: Elliott
Gresley man-of-the-match: David Holmes
Referee: J Wilkinson (Northants)
Attendance: 376
