Midland Football Alliance
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 22nd October 2011, 3.00pm
Jolly Goodfellow
Gresley manager Gary Norton gave new signing James Jepson his debut in this tough but entertaining local derby. He also had to make a change having heard that right back Matt Hill had succumbed to the flu meaning Gareth Langford took that slot with Michael Nottingham taking the central defenders position alongside Jamie Barrett.
Rocester had beaten Gresley already on two occasions this season but the homeside were determined that the Romans would not make it a clean sweep and their intentions were soon made clear when Jepson hit a shot that visiting keeper Richard Froggatt did well to hold on to. Minutes later Rob Spencer made a good run down the right and supplied a chance for Richard Hanslow who hit his shot over the bar.
Spencer was then just a fraction off getting a vital touch that could have steered Mickey Lyons into the net.
Rocester began to come back into the game and went close themselves on 23 minutes when Chris Sterling flashed a shot across the face of the Gresley goal where Paul McMahon didn't get enough of a touch on the ball to pay dividends.
Seconds later the dangerous McMahon went close again hitting a superb shot which was equalled by Gresley keeper Gary Hateley making a tremendous save to tip the ball over the bar.
Marc Goodfellow brought a good save out of Froggat but as to be expected the sides were well matched and the clear chances were few. However, as the first half was drawing to an end the goal Gresley had been looking for came. Goodfellow collected the ball on the left cut inside and hit a shot that beat both Froggatt and the defenders chasing back.
Early in the second half Hateley again made a top class save this time to deny McMahon as he blocked the header at the far post.
On 63 minutes a superb through pass from Lyons saw Goodfellow make some space before curling a shot around Froggatt but was unlucky to see his effort hit the base of the far post and Richard Hanslow's rushed shot fired the rebound just with of the post.
Froggatt then made a fine save as he tipped Spencer's ferocious shot across the goal over the bar but the final moments of the game saw Rocester almost grab a late share of the points but the outstanding Hateley once more showed how good a keeper he is by diving high to his left to push away substitute Craig Smith's powerful header away from the top corner.
Manager's View
"This was the game we expected from two fairly evenly matched teams as the two previous games have shown to be honest. Having said that apart from chunks of the league game at Rocester we really didn't get going and do ourselves any justice. We actually played quite well at their place and found ourselves two-nil down.
"But it was nice, regardless of the opposition, to get a clean sheet and the three points so it was a really satisfying afternoon but we had to work really hard for it.
"Gary Hateley made a couple of good saves but that's what he's there for as was their keeper. We hit the post twice once in the first and again in the second half. Marc Goodfellow hi the post and forced the keeper into a good save as well.
"I think it was an evenly matched game but if one of those that hit the post had gone in it may have been a bit more comfortable and controlled and a little less nervous on the bench.
"We had a good chance when we hit the post and if Richard Hanslow could have adjusted his body he may have put the rebound the right side of the post but the ball was on him quickly and unfortunately he couldn't quite control it and it went wide.
"The most satisfying thing for me was the defensive shape of the team it looks a lot more solid. We had Michael Nottingham, Jamie Barrett and Jordi Gough in there who haven't been playing too much recently. I've been saying get key players back and we'll start to look a little more steady so no need to panic.
"Martin Rowe and I always have a bit of a chat on Saturday morning to see if we've had any casualties over night and Matt Hill had unfortunately come down with the flu over night. He would have started the game at right back but his loss was Gareth Langford's gain because he was going to be on the bench today. He was slotted in at right back and he showed that he can do that job very well.
"James Jepson played very well as a 'left back'. Apparently I've signed a left back but let me do my job! I know he can play at left back and he's played the last few games at left back for Hucknall but he's a very good central midfield player as we know from the games he played against us last season and he did very well today. He's a different sort of player to Carl Slater and he's not Carl's replacement. James' passing range is fantastic, he's very tidy in the ball, he has good energy, he talks and organises. To those who have made comments on the internet, just watch him play and then make your minds up. Occasionally we may want him to play at left-back and we can have a discussion about that as well.
"I was reading the local player last night, Rocester were two points ahead of us and were fourth in the league. They are having a fantastic start to the season we are two points behind and we are in turmoil by all accounts if you listen to some of the folk around here!
"It's very tight between the top nine in the league and as long as we can keep chipping in with the odd win and keep in touch we'll be happy. We started off today in ninth, three points off second place and I think that emphasises the really competitive nature of this league. The chairman eluded in his programme notes that in the East Midlands League there are four or five teams that form the top group but in this league everyone can beat each other so it's going to be that way and there are many twists and turns to come but I'd much rather be playing in a more competitive like this one rather than the East Midlands.
"From our point of view we're trying to look after ourselves. We've had a little dodgy spell performance wise but when you look back at the number of players we've had out injured, it's not an excuse but a reality, but that's what we have the squad for. I keep hoping things will settle down regarding weddings and things. Dean Oliver was missing due to a wedding today and Gareth Langford is now missing next week abroad but he has tweaked an hamstring so that might do him some good.
"We are trying to bring another player in but whether it will happen next week I don't know. There is an issue to do with the club he's with and we'll just have to play the waiting game. He wants to come but we'll have to wait and see what happens. There are also one or two trialists we'll have a look at some point in the future but with players coming back from injury and have come through ninety minutes in the last couple of games I'm not going to say the injury problems are over.
"Jamie and Jordi are big players for us and Michael Nottingham has come in and done well but football can change around very quickly as we know. I spoke to Jake Duffy yesterday, he's still keen but we have an issue with transport. He's busting a gut to get playing but we've just got to sort out how to get him here because he doesn't drive but we are desperate to get him involved because he's a very good player. What sort of condition he's kept himself in during his ban I'm not sure. I don't know him that well but I'm sure he's kept himself ticking over fitness wise."
