UniBond League Division One South
Harrison Park, Leek
Saturday, 14th March 2009, 3.00pm
Knight Almost Plugs Leek
Gresley Rovers were within a couple of minutes or so from getting that elusive first win since the break-up of their original squad back in November but a hopeful shot through a forest of legs ended their hopes.
The visitors started brightly and soon had Leek on the back foot and their efforts were rewarded on 7 minutes when they took the lead.
Jordi Gough made a good run down the left and sent in an inviting cross that Chris Knight headed past the surprised home keeper Matt Cooper.
Knight was becoming a nuisance for the Leek defence and could have doubled his tally five minutes later but fired wide of the mark.
The first real effort from Leek came on 16 minutes when they forced a corner with Jamie Barrett having to head over his own bar but it was easily dealt with.
On 20 minutes Nathan Rolph had to be replaced by Jonny Shales, returning from a knee injury, and the substitute was soon in the thick of things providing a superb cross that the diving Knight header just wide.
Knight turned provider seconds later sending a pass through for Ryan Spittle who managed to get to the bye line before sending over a cross that Knight headed towards goal where a defender appeared to handle the ball just in front of the goal but the referee ignored the appeal.
The best chance of extending Rovers' lead came on 27 minutes when Lee Fell charged down an attempted clearance by Carl Allen. The youngster ran forward and hit a low shot that Cooper did well to block and Leek skipper Nick Ward managed to get a touch on the rebound as Spittle rushed in.
Where Rovers' to rue that chance of doubling their lead? A minute later Leek almost drew level when a shot from Ashley Miller was well held by visiting keeper Simon Baldwin.
Leek were now putting pressure on the Rovers' back line and almost capitalised when Richard Bailey was left in space at the far post and from a corner by Matt Johnson but the midfielder should have done better hitting a shot into the side netting.
Rovers again appeared a little flat footed moments later allowing Bailey to once more get behind the defence but this time he could only fire across the face of goal with no-one able to get on the end of it.
On 40 minutes Baldwin pulled off the save of the game. A low cross from Ben Mills found Darren Alexander who turned just inside the box and hit a tremendous shot that Baldwin somehow managed to push over the bar.
With time almost up in the first half Leek got the equaliser but it was as a result of some slack marking.
A free kick from Matt Johnson was whipped into the area and Ward was able to rise and without a challenge head powerfully past the helpless Bladwin.
As was to be expected the home side opened the second half strongly with Ward heading over the bar with just three minutes on the clock.
However, it was Rovers who left the Leek faithful stunned when they regained the lead on 57 minutes.
Fell launched a long ball forward that looked comfortable for the home defence to deal with but Andy Taylor's awful header back to his keeper left Cooper in no-man's land and Knight quickly latched onto the ball and coolly lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the empty net.
Within five minutes Rovers almost increased their lead when Knight met Gough's free kick but the header sailed just over the bar.
On 77 minutes Mills was put through but a good tackle denied him his opportunity and the only reward was a corner.
As the referee indicated 4 minutes of added time Rovers where denied the victory and the precious three points their efforts deserved.
Mills once more threatened when he beat the offside trap but another good block from Baldwin stopped the front man from scoring.
Rovers failed to clear the corner and Mills collected the ball and fired a low shot into the box and from the scramble substitute Oliver Edwards somehow managed to pock the ball through a forest of legs to grab the equaliser much to the relief of his team mates and bench.
With only seconds on the clock remaining, Rovers had one more chance to take all the points.
Carl Slater broke quickly and picked out substitute Carl Timms down the right and with the visiting bench urging him on he strode forward cut inside and curled an effort that just flew past the far post.
Manager's View
Tony Hemmings
"When you're struggling for results things like that (Leek equalising late) do happen. But, I thought today the lads put out a really good performance.
"They built on last week and we had two good training sessions in the week, it was a good turn out and we were able to produce the goods on the pitch today.
"I was pleased for Chris Knight today. He's been looking sharp in training as well and it's nice that he's starting to know the lads as well and that's what I'm on about. We need the lads to be training more regularly so that they can get attuned to each other so that when they are on the pitch they can work together better.
"Simon Baldwin was tremendous today, absolutely tremendous, the save he pulled out in the first half and the save he pulled out in the second half.
"Simon and Jordi (Gough) today were absolutely immense and considering Jamie Barrett played with a hamstring strain I thought he was absolutely super. Well, to be honest one to fourteen were superb.
"We were hoping to build on the point we earned at Willenhall but it didn't happen but I'm more confident this time with this set of lads. The lads are starting to work together. Justis (Hayden) is getting better every game and with the addition of Jamie Barrett coming back to the club as shored us up at the back.
"Jordi Gough is back fit, Nathan Rolph out of the Youth Team, one of Rory Downes' players, coming through and playing well. Unfortunately he had to come off half way through the first half.
"Paul Edwards was missing today. He's been absolutely fantastic especially playing in defence but he was working today I think. But, the squad is getting physically stronger all the time.
"James Davies playing at right back is a midfield player but he's doing well. Everyone is pulling together now and it's nice that the weather is getting a bit better so we can train on the pitch and then on Thursday night's at the FA Centre so it's a lot better now.
"We've still got some 'cup finals' to play before the end of the season but if we put out performances like we did today we will win more than we lose or draw.
"We've Carlton next weekend and they always push us all the way. They are a difficult team to play against and there's a lot of flare in their team but I think the way we are playing now and the organisation and shape we've got I think we should be okay."
