East Midlands Counties League
Canal Street, Aylestone, Leicester
Saturday, 16th April 2011, 3.00pm
Blenko Blasts Home The Winner
A goal at the end of normal time from David Blenkinsopp grabbed Gresley all three points from a very determined St Andrews side.
Gresley manager Gary Norton made three changes to last week's starting line up against Barrow. The unfortunate Matt Hill suffered a thigh injury last Saturday and was replaced by Tom Betteridge who returned to the team after missing the previous game. Barry Woolley replaced Jamie Barrett at the heart of the defence and David Blenkinsopp was handed a role up front with Brian Woodall dropping back meaning Mickey Lyons took a place on the bench.
The visitors started well forcing two quick corners but were forced to make an early change after just 7 minutes bringing on Jordi Gough to replace Barry Woolley who suffered a head injury which brought up a lump the size of a duck egg just above his right eye.
St Andrews were resolute in defence meaning Gresley had very little joy in the opening twenty five minutes or so. Indeed it was the home side who had the first clear chance on 26 minutes when Clint Dunn made a fine run down the left before hitting a shot that Gresley keeper Gary Hateley did well to push away.
Blenkinsopp worked hard to win a half cleared ball a yard inside the St Andrews area and hit a shot on the turn that flew wide. A free kick from Gareth Langford was punched clear by Warren Butlin but the ball fell to Gough who fired his volley over the bar.
Gresley had two more half chances as the first half drew to a close. Firstly Blenkinsopp brought out a fine save from Butlin and Royce Turville heading Brian Woodall's corner from the right over the bar.
The second period began with Gresley once more threatening the home goal and they were the width of a post from taking the lead with Lee Barrow heading Woodall's corner from the left against the woodwork.
On 63 minutes the visitors went close again this time a Woodall free kick fizzed across the box and Gough stretching out a leg at the far post touched the ball fractionally wide.
It was becoming a very frustrating afternoon for Gresley as despite their effort they met with a solid wall of defending from St Andrews. Perhaps not the best to watch, but certainly very effective.
Gough was denied when Butlin managed to palm away his effort but St Andrews should really have taken the lead with ten minutes remaining when Tom Wood was picked out unmarked on the right with a perfect long pass but the striker fluffed his lines and fired his shot wide of the far post.
Back came the visitors with Blenkinsopp pushing the ball back to Tom Betteridge who hit a tremendous shot on the run that Butlin gathered at the second attempt.
Hateley came to his side's rescue on 90 minutes when he made a superb diving save to push away St Andrews' substitute Krystian Plumb shot that looked to have been heading for the top corner.
The homeside were then dealt a fatal blow when Gresley substitute Mickey Lyons sent over a deep corner from the left where Barrow was waiting. The defender headed the ball back into the box where Blenkinsopp hooked the ball home.
There were some distasteful scenes after the goal when St Andrews' Gunn, who had been substituted earlier, was shown a straight red card by referee David Styles for foul and abusive language.
Gresley's celebrations after the final whistle was made all the sweeter as news filtered through that Borrowash and Heanor had played out a draw.
Manager's View
"I can think of a few more words other than relieved! To be honest, to win it so late on is an amazing feeling.
"To be honest a draw would have been a fair result on reflection of the play but as the game went on I thought St Andrews were tiring a little bit and we were putting them under a lot of pressure without creating too much.
"We had one or two near things before the goal but so did they. Gary Hateley had to make a save when we didn't clear our lines but it was a very even game and fortunately we managed to nick it right at the end.
"St Andrews will argue that the referee had awarded a goal kick but it was a blatant corner but the officials got the right decision in the end.
"Lee Barrow had a good game and got a good knock back for the goal. I was a little bit worried that it was going to be yet another where we were in a good position and the knock back wouldn't be there but he put it in a good area and David Blenkinsopp scored with an overhead volley. David deserved it because his work over the last few weeks since we sat down and had a chat about things when he was on the bench has been good. He's really put some graft in and he's a little bit nearer the level that we want.
"The game today was not pretty. It was a horrible pitch, very bobbly and you're going to get that at this time of the season. I felt we defended fairly well. Gary Hateley had to make two decent saves but apart from that he didn't have a lot to do. A clean sheet and three points, we're happy with that.
"We were only five minutes in and Barry Woolley got an injury. To be honest it's calmed down a bit now but it was a concern. The bump was literally the size of a small egg on the side of his head.
Five minutes in it was a big risk to put Jamie Barrett on because we didn't know if he would have lasted the rest of the game. So we decided to jiggle it about a bit and drop Gareth Langford back into defence as we did last week and he did alright for us. We'll just have to see how Barry is on Tuesday.
"Rob Spencer came off near the end with a bit of a heel problem so we'll have to see if that recovers enough for Tuesday as well.
"Danny Holmes was away for a stag weekend which was a shame but he'll be available for Tuesday. It was a big shame for us because he's been doing well for us although he did find himself on the bench last week but then came on and put a good shift in and scored a good goal for us.
"It's been confirmed that it was nil-nil at Borrowash against Heanor so it's even tighter at the top. We are still waiting to hear how Gedling Miners Welfare have done because they are in there as well.
"We have five games to go. It's almost like a mini cup competition. We've scraped through toady and we've got a big game coming up which we have to win on Tuesday. If we don't go there and get a result the bit of luck we've had today with the three points is undone.
"We've been in similar situations before and messed things up so it's important that we focus and keep our application give it our all. A few weeks ago if we knew we'd be in this situation the supporters would have snatched our arms off because we've come back from quite a few points behind for it to be very, very tight at the top.
"We've been talking about the top four but we've been lucky today. Give every credit to St Andrews, they battled well and deserved at least a point. We are thankful for that. We're not coming here big time thinking that we should have won the game. We learned from last season because we were beaten here just after we'd been knocked out of the Vase. Maybe some of the players came that thinking we'd win all three points before we'd even kicked the ball but in fairness this season the respect we're giving teams is second to none. I've always been the same, and we found it equally hard again today and on another day it would have been a nil-nil and everything as you were.
"St Andrews work rate is absolutely phenomenal across the park. Before today they'd only been beaten once in nine games. I don't know if many people realise that. They look at the league table and think we've a god chance of winning. These guys are no mugs so to come here and get three points, although a little bit fatuitous, we'll take all day long."
