Midland Football Alliance
The Moat Ground, Chirch Gresley
Tuesday, 9th August 2011, 7.45pm
Boatmen Sunk At The Moat
Gresley got their Midland Alliance campaign of the mark with a comprehensive win over former East Midlands Counties rivals Dunkirk at the Moat Ground in front of a home crowd of 297.
Second half goals from Rob Spencer and Richard Hanslow ensured the Moatmen got their first three points on the board and a welcome clean sheet.
Manager Gary Norton made just one change to the starting line-up from Saturday's game with keeper Gary Hateley replacing the holidaying Darren Keeling. Royce Turville was on the bench after missing the game at the weekend.
Almost from the off Gresley were in control with Hateley having a fairly quiet evening with hardly a save to make and they had the first chance on 23 minutes when Jermaine Gordon fed the ball through to Hanslow racing into the area but Dunkirk's keeper James Mountain did well to smother the ball at the young striker's feet.
Hanslow almost got onto the end of a loose ball after Marc Goodfellow's shot had been blocked but Mountain did well again to snuff out the danger.
Gresley should have taken the lead just before the half hour mark when Gordon was hauled to the floor in the area by Lee Beck giving referee Mr Sharratt no alternative but to point to the spot. Gordon took the kick but it lacked power and Mountain comfortably made the save diving to his right.
The first half ended with Dunkirk making a rare attempt on goal but Darren Garmston hit a wild shot high over the bar.
Within 2 minutes of the second half the homeside were in front. A shot from the left flew across the area and Spencer was waiting at the far post to smash the ball into the net despite Mountain getting a hand to the ball.
Hanslow was unlucky when he collected Gordon's flick on and raced down the right before flashing a shot across the face of goal.
Spencer then had a half chance but scuffed his shot into the midriff of Mountain while at the other end Max Pembleton hit a wild shot from just outside the are well over the bar.
Hanslow was causing problems and tested Mountain again after getting the better of several defenders with a mazy run into the area but the keeper was up to the task holding on to the low shot and seconds later Gordon put an effort just over the bar.
On 77 minutes Gresley doubled their lead when a strongly hit pass was delightfully cushioned back by Goodfellow to Hanslow who strode forward before firing his shot past Mountain.
As the game drew to a close Mountain made a superb reaction save to tip Goodfellow's thunderbolt of a free kick over the bar.
Manager's View
"I thought we were on top for all the game and Gary Hateley didn't have a save to make. We knew the goal was coming; we missed a penalty and had two or three other good chances in the first half.
"Our confidence was lifted after the first goal and after Saturday I thought the guys showed a lot of character and to come back with a clean sheet. I thought for the large part we were in control and I can't think of a save Gary having to make. Dunkirk where strong and well organised but Gary didn't have a save to make he had to come off his line for bits and bobs.
"We didn't give much away tonight and created a fair few chances tonight to have won the game by more but we would have taken a couple of goals and a clean sheet before the game.
"We did talk about making a change. A couple of players who didn't have a bad game on Saturday in the five-one defeat we felt could have given a bit more but we had a chat and we decided to stick with the outfield eleven and we were vindicated. We were pleased with the whole side tonight who showed a lot of resilience to bounce back from a tough defeat.
"Richard Hanslow did okay tonight. He worked hard and he had one fantastic little run when he went past several players but just couldn't quite open himself up to get the shot off properly. He's had one or two half chances that maybe a few more games into the season when he's got that extra yard and a spring in his step he may have poached one or two in the first half. His goal was good but the touch from Marc Goodfellow when someone smashed a pass into him, he just cushioned it into Richard's path and he took it really, really well and the pressure of being just one-nil up lifted completely and from that moment there was only one side in it.
"Mickey Lyons, who's been away for the last ten days, will be back for Saturday. Barry Woolley is on holiday. He could have played last Saturday had he been fit but hopefully he's recovered from his virus well enough to have gone on holiday and Jake Duffy is still missing also on holiday.
"Richard Butler has a bit of a tight calf and Jordi Gough was in tonight for further treatment on the ankle that has baffled us all summer to be honest. I don't think we've picked any more knocks up tonight. Adam Betteridge has recovered from his knee injury so he's fit. Tom Betteridge is our fourth choice left back but he's done alright in the last couple of games.
"I know nothing about Studley but I'm more concerned about ourselves because there are things we need to work on and hopefully get a few players back. Gareth Langford goes on holiday on Saturday and it's so hard to keep track of the lads because they keep coming and going.
"Royce Turville is available this Saturday as it's the last Saturday in the month for the wedding he's going to. I thought he said he would miss last Saturday, back for Tuesday and then miss the next Saturday but that's not the case.
"Once we get this silly season out of the way with everyone coming and going from holiday we can then try to get a settled side out.
"I thought the referee did okay for the most part tonight. It was a difficult game to manage will all the players chirping at him but the bookings at the end.. he said Lee Barrow laughed at him but I think many people laughed at him when he gave that free kick but obviously Lee shouldn't have done that and when Aaron Dillon went on he said something to the referee but people had been chirping away all night.
"I said to the referee afterwards that it was a couple of silly yellow cards at the end that could have been avoided. Even their bench said Aaron's booking was a silly one but for the most part the referee did alright tonight and I'm sure we'll have a few referees to comment but tonight I thought he did alright."
