Derbyshire Senior Cup 1st Round
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Tuesday, 11th October 2005, 7.45pm
Rovers beat the Swans
This was always going to be a tough test despite the difference in the level that both sides play. Near neighbours Stapenhill had already beaten Gresley in a pre-season friendly and were certainly up for this game.
As to be expected Gresley pushed Stapenhill back from the off forcing a corner after 6 minutes and Paul Edwards firing in to the side netting from distance after 12.
On 21 minutes David Holmes fired in a shot that was well over and then almost sneaked in a cheeky goal as he back heeled the ball narrowly wide six minutes later.
The Swans should have snatched the lead against the run of play on 36 minutes. The wet conditions did not help and Matt Millns' slip let Jon Shales who was in on goal one-on-one with homer keeper James Pemberton but the Stapenhill front man's finish was woeful as he fired his shot well over the bar.
Stapenhill were to rue the miss because two minutes later Gresley took the lead. A short corner from the left by Chris Gray to Tony Hemmings ended with the ball in the visitors' goalmouth and was not cleared. Nicky Carter was in the right place at the right time and hammered the ball through the crowded area and into the net.
On the stroke of half time Gresley had a half chance but Millns' header from Hemmings' corner was well held by Richard Chritchlow.
Stapenhill drew level after just three minutes of the second period when Jamie Barrett was penalised for an apparent push on Jamie Davies in the area. Referee Mr Mellor pointed to the spot and Davies sent Pemberton the wrong way with his kick.
Gresley were struggling to get their passing game going but on 50 minutes a flowing move from defence to the Swans' area ended with Carter putting the final shot just wide of the mark.
A minute later, Aaron O'Connor on as a second half substitute caused the Stapenhill defence some trouble but his shot was well saved by Critchlow.
Gray tried his luck with a long-range effort that went wide on 54 minutes as Gresley continued to press their visitors back.
Gresley took the lead on 68 minutes in somewhat dubious circumstances. Holmes collected the ball in what looked like an offside position. Neither the referee or his assistant who was within 10 yards of the action saw anything wrong and with the Stapenhill defence stationary Holmes made his way to the byline before crossing to Hemmings who headed home powerfully. A little harsh on Stapenhill, maybe but as the old adage says you must play to the whistle. Stapenhill didn't; Gresley did and they increased their lead.
Neil Akers pulled off a superb block on 73 minutes after O'Connor had been let in by a slip from the same defender. He turned is second marker before unleashing a tremendous drive that Akers did well to see let alone block.
In the remaining 15 minutes or so Stapenhill faded as an attacking force and it was the home side who could have increased their advantage when Holmes sent in a lovely curling shot around Critchlow but and unfortunately the far post.
Manager's View
"The game was very entertaining. As predicted we knew we'd have a lot of trouble tonight with Stapenhill. It's very difficult because a lot of the players are mates with players in the opposition - there are a lot of my mates in there as well. So from their point of view they wanted to make things as difficult as possible for us and they certainly did that tonight.
"We've come through the game without any major injuries. Andy Simpson coming off so early was a bit of a set back. We've had a look at him and we hope he will be fit and available for Saturday. He's turned an ankle - we thought it was his knee originally and obviously that would have given us more concern. He's going to have treatment between now and Saturday and we hope he responds to that and that he's able to take his place.
"Nicky Carter started tonight and we took him off after sixty minutes or so because he was blowing a little bit after all the running he did box to box in the first half. He's done well and he got a goal as well. He was in the right place at the right time. And Jamie Barrett getting his first start was a bit of a bonus as well as is David Holmes getting ninety minutes as well as Tony Hemmings so there were quite a few positives.
"The performance was always going to be a struggle on a surface like this. Our passes were going astray and moves braking down because of the conditions as the ball skidded about. I felt that when we got the ball down and kept the ball, especially near the end we were quite professional.
"Having said that, Stapenhill have some quality in their side and they made some great runs and there we passes that we struggled to keep out - it could have been an interesting finish!
"It's well documented that the Derbyshire Senior Cup, at this stage at least, is well down our list of priorities. But having said that we still want to win every game we take part in. I think the strength of the side I fielded tonight, obviously with Saturday in mind, signalled our intent because we wanted to win the game. Yes, we made changes. We left Aaron out and it was pre-planned that both him and Paul would have forty-five minutes. We introduced lads who'd been patient off the bench because we've got that quality and strength in depth. We didn't function as well as we could do. Maybe down to the changes and partly down to the conditions but at the end of the day, we've won the game. These games are very, very difficult especially with it being Stapenhill just down the road. They've beaten us in the last two pre-season friendlies so it's enjoyable when it matters to get a result."
