Pre-Season Friendly
Owen Street, Coalville
Saturday, 16th July 2011, 3.00pm
Second Friendly Defeat For Gresley
Gresley suffered their second pre-season defeat as they were beaten by a very useful Coalville Town side who have been promoted to the Evo-Stik South Division for the new season having won the Midland Alliance on goal difference from Tipton Town.
The visitors got off to a flying start with Rob Spencer just inches away from getting a penalty with hardly thirty seconds on the clock after being felled by Ashley Brown just outside the area.
However, it was soon evident what a good side Town looked as they started to take control of the game playing down the slope at Owen Street minutes later.
Gresley keeper had to be on his toes blocking a shot from James Dodd and again denying the same player as he broke through the visiting defence again.
Unfortunately, Keeling could do nothing to prevent the first goal on 11 minutes. After racing well out of his area Keeling was beaten by Town new signing Chris Gummery who then slipped the ball into the far corner of the net despite a valiant effort from Jamie Barrett to prevent it.
The only effort on goal by Gresley came on 18 minutes as Carl Slater let fly a shot that easily cleared the bar.
Town were quicker to the ball, winning most second balls, stronger and more decisive in their choice of passes and began to dominate a Gresley side who were finding it difficult to deal with the slope of the pitch, the strong wind and a good opposition.
I seemed inevitable that Town would add to their tally and they did on 20 minutes. Poor defending saw Callum Woodward given the chance and he took it well curling his shot into the top corner of the net.
A minute later a shot from Dodd crashed against the post but the rebound was blazed well over the bar but another goal looked on the cards as Town applied the pressure and it came on 25 minutes. A through ball sent Matt Moore racing forward and while Gresley looked at the assistant referee appealing for off side, Moore coolly slipped the ball by Keeling.
The few Gresley followers were hoping for a much better showing in the second half and to the players' credit it came.
Both sides made several changes with Gresley manager Gary Norton bringing on Jermaine Gordon, Barry Woolley and Ryan Brown.
Gresley looked a bit more comfortable playing down the slope and on 67 minutes Richard Hanslow hit a good shot on the turn for arguably the first true attempt on goal by the visitors.
Town still looked dangerous on the break and Keeling did well to stop Fisher from adding to their score as the keeper superbly parried his shot at the near post.
Gresley managed to get onto the score sheet with 4 minutes remaining when Hanslow made a good run down the right, turned a defender before slipping the ball past Town keeper Sean Bowles for a well taken goal.
