Weston-super-Mare vs Gresley Rovers
Moatmen finish fifth
Jon Newsome was forced to make changes to his side as they looked to gain at
least a point that would secure their 5th position in the league.
Defender Owen James, midfielder Mark Peters and striker Chris White were all
ruled out through injury and Ian Bluck was also missing serving his suspension.
Newsome chose to play three at the back with Matt Moran brought in on the right
of midfield allowing Chris Gray to play just behind the front two.
On 8 minutes Gresley had their first attempt on goal when Whittaker skilfully
turned his markers on the edge of the area but put his shot wide.
On 12 minutes Andy Bourne made a tremendous run down the left flank, cut into
the area but blasted his shot into the side netting.
Weston reacted and on 14 minutes went close themselves to opening the scoring.
Bradley Thomas took a free kick, which was heading towards goal but James Lindley
did well in punching the ball clear of danger.
The Gresley keeper was needed again a couple of minutes later when he pushed
away swerving shot from striker David Mehew.
On 21 minutes the home side almost opened their account. A superb curling first
time shot by Frankie Bennett smashed against a post with Lindley beaten.
At the other end Chris Parkins went on a fine mazy run beating two defenders
and finishing with a fierce shot that Mark Bryant in the Weston goal did well
to get his hand to push away.
Some slack defending by defender Alan Bird on the bye-line allowed Parkins
to nip in and steal the ball. His resulting cross was heading to Bourne unmarked
in the area but another fine save from Bryant sent the ball out of harms way.
On 43 minutes it was the visitors who came close to scoring. Andy Cheetham
sent a long ball into the area that was not dealt with and Dave Whittaker was
first to the ball and nudged it passed the on-rushing Bryant but agonisingly
by the upright.
Weston started the second half with a bit more purpose and Lindley had to be
quick to block a shot by Bennet.
On 57 minutes a pinpoint pass by Richard Wardle put through the lively Parkins
and he hit another cracking shot that Bryant blocked.
The play switched to the other end and Stuart Evans came to Gresley's rescue
when he beat Cox to the ball after Lindley had saved a shot with his legs.
Weston continued a bout of pressure and it almost paid off on 62 minutes but
Jody Bevan could only head wide when well placed.
Gresley had already had defender Andy Cheetham substituted due to an injury
and now another defender Evans had to leave the pitch.
Simon Tucker came on and striker Whittaker dropped back into the back three
along side Woolley and the youngster James Lewsley who had replaced Cheetham.
The home side again went close with an effort by Bennett skimming the bar and
the visitors' response was a near miss by Tucker who had Bryant saving his volley
after some good work by Parkins.
Almost on the final whistle Weston almost grabbed an undeserved winner when
a shot by Stuart Slater deflected off a Gresley player and hit the foot of the
post and out for a corner.
The match ended with the point Gresley needed to ensure their fifth position
in the league.
The Manager's view of the game
"If someone had said on the coach coming down here that we would get a
point I would have taken that.
"We were down to the bare bones with the injuries and suspension. I changed
the side around but that was because of how I thought Weston were going to play.
"We created a number of chances in the first half but then we didn't really
get started in the second.
"With a little bit of luck I think we could have come away with a win,
but then again so could Weston.
"It was quite a good game, although it did have that end of season feel
to it, and both sides created chances and both keeper had to make some very
good saves.
"We passed it around a little better today, but we were given time and
space to do so. I thought we missed chances without hitting the target, but
we got out of the game what we wanted, although it would have been nice to have
won our final game."
Weston-super-Mare (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Weston-super-Mare: Bryant, Miller. Souter, Bird (Tezel 76), Kigour,
Thomas, Bennett, Slater, Bevan (Pritchard 76), Mehew (Harris 84), Cox.
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Moran (Withers 82), Cheetham (Lewsley 53),
Callan, Woolley, Evans (Tucker 64), Bourne, Wardle, Whittaker, Parkins, Gray.
Rovers
Star Man: Chris Parkins - always looked dangerous on the ball.
Referee: R East (Wiltshire).
Attendance: 241
