Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Redditch United
Peters spot on!
Jon
Newsome's first home league game in charge resulted in a win for the new manager.
Newsome played a side unchanged from the Derbyshire Senior Cup 2nd leg at Alfreton
with the only change being Andy Bourne's recall in place of James Lewsley.
Gresley almost gifted their visitors a dream start within a minute off the
start when Stuart Evans sent a short back pass to his keeper James Lindley.
Chris Hill nipped to in but could not take advantage of the slip and Lindley
did well to smother the effort.
On 7 minutes Aidan Callan's free kick from just outside the area skimmed the
Redditch cross bar for Gresley's first attempt on goal.
On 8 minutes Andy Cheetham put a pass across his box which fell short and allowed
Peter Sutton to collect the ball and put Paul Danks through on goal with only
the keeper to beat. Lindley pulled off a superb save to prevent the Redditch
striker from opening their account.
Lindley launched a long goal kick, which White almost flicked on past Neil
Olden in the visitors goal.
On 19 minutes Redditch almost took the lead when Nigel Nibblett powered a header
from a Lea Shaw free kick just past the post and almost immediately Gresley
responded.
The lively Chris Gray floated in a free kick from the left and Chris White
flicked the ball on to Dave Whittaker and Richard Field scrambled his back header
off the line.
On
27 minutes Callan whipped in a free kick which Barry Woolley got his head to.
But to the dismay of the fans behind the Redditch goal the ball shot off the
cross bar and away to safety.
Gresley were now beginning to dominate the game and on 29 minutes Gray cleverly
knocked the ball into the air and then sent in a fine cross into the box which
Bourne was unlucky to put wide.
Chances began to come thick and fast with Olden blocking a shot from Bourne
and Owen James narrowly missing with a header.
Newsome made a change for the second half when Simon Tucker replaced White
who had aggravated an ankle injury.
Gresley continued where they had left off with the majority of the pressure
coming from the home side.
On 58 minutes the unlucky Woolley had to be replaced after a reoccurring back
injury forced the big defender to leave the field.
Tucker went close after some good work from Gray and Bourne but the Gresley
striker's shot was blocked by Redditch defender Richard Beale.
Redditch had very few notable attacking chances with Hall having the best on
63 minutes. His inswinging corner was headed off the line by Gray.
On 72 minutes Gresley got the goal their endeavours deserved. Richard wardle
put striker Whittacker through on goal but as he rounded the Olden the keeper
pull him down and the referee had no hesitation and pointed to the spot.
It was susbstitute Mark Peters who put the home side one up by sending the
keeper the wrong way.
The manager's view of the game
"I'm delighted to get my first win under my belt. That was the order of
the day not only for me but for the players as well. The win should make sure
we finish in the top six.
"The
pitch wasn't too clever. It was a bit bobbly and bouncy and it made it difficult.
They came and worked hard and we had to match them and I'm very pleased we did
that. In the end it was our quality shone through a little bit. While we are
all delighted with the win but we know we can still play better and improve.
But today I'm well happy.
"I think that was the best they have played under me, that, and the second
half of the home game against Alfreton. They got the bit between their teeth
and they worked half. It wasn't a pretty game, it was a bit scrappy and it was
a fight but we matched them in that and I'm delighted.
"We said before the match that this was the last home game of the season,
it was also my first league game at home let's finish on a positive note and
it all fell into place. It's a nice change from the last two games.
"The lads were a lot more relaxed today and I think that is a result of
the training session on Thursday. We had a bit of training, a laugh and a joke
and a bit of a jolly. They got to know me and I got to know them rather than
the big bad gaffer who shouts and bawls at games. I think the barriers have
come down now. The players have got a feel me and obviously I've got a feel
for them and now we can look forward. It's a shame that there is only one game
left.
"I've started work on next season already and no-one will be more keen
than me. I've got a lot of work to do during the summer. I've only seen the
players three times and trained once and not all the players could get to that
session.
"What I will do is to sit down with them and find out what their ideas
are and tell them what my ideas are and formulate a decision that suits both
parties. That's the way I'll do it. I've been honest with them up to now, I
was honest with them today and I always will be because that's the way I'll
be with them.
"It's a case of getting next weekend out of the way and seeing how we
kick off from here for next week.
"With regards to Richard Wardle's testimonial game on Thursday I haven't
know him long but to stop at any football club for 11 years takes some doing
nowadays. It's a magnificent tribute to him and I'll be down here giving him
as much support as I can and to wish him all the best.
"I thought Richard was one of the shining lights today. I thought he did
exceptionally well. There was a vast improvement in teamwork today and Richard
typified that. He had a great game today; he was asked to drop back into right
back during the game and he looked as if he'd played there for the whole game.
I was very pleased with him today. It's a big day for him on Thursday. It's
a big game and I'm looking forward to it
"Barry Woolley felt his back again so we took him off. Chris White has
been carrying an ankle injury and it was a bit touch and go if we played him
today. Being a young lad he was desperate to play and we agreed. He came off
at half time because his ankle was sore. The hard pitch didn't help and I can't
see him being fit for next weekend. It's a case of looking after him. If it
was a cup final he would have played."
Gresley Rovers (0) 1
Redditch United (0) 0
Scorer: Peters 72 (pen)
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Evans, Cheetham, Wardle, Woolley (Peters 58),
James, Bourne, Callan, White (Tucker 45), Whittaker, Gray: Sub: Parkins.
Redditch United: Olden, Southwick, Beale, Field, Niblett, Shaw, Grosvenor
(Knight 62), Harris, Danks, Sutton (Booth 68) Hill (Hall 58).
Rovers
Star Man: Chris Gray - always a threat.
Referee: S Bratt (Walsall).
Attendance: 321
