Midland Football Alliance
St Johns Park, Heather
Monday, 9th April 2012, 3.00pm
Gresley Back To Winning Ways
Goals from Phil Massingham and James Jepson ensured Gresley got back into winning ways in a comfortable win at St Johns Park. Had all the chances been converted the score could easily have reached double figures that's how dominant the visitors were on a wet and windy afternoon.
Gresley made four changes to the starting eleven that faced Atherstone Town on Saturday with Gary Hateley taking over the goal keeper jersey, Matt Hill coming in for Tom Betteridge, Marc Strzyzewski replacing Jamie Barrett and Phil Massingham being handed his first start since joining the club to partner Dean Oliver up front.
Gresley, facing a stiff breeze, started well with Michael Nottingham hitting a goal bound shot that was deflected onto the bar after just 4 minutes.
Two minutes later Gresley were in front. Marc Goodfellow hit a low shot that was blocked in the area and Massingham reacted quickly to smash the ball home.
On 10 minutes there was a lengthy delay when Gresley right back Matt Hill appeared to twist his knee and was stretchered off with suspected knee ligament damage.
The only attempt on goal by the home side came when Jack Robinson hit a good shot from distance that Hateley had to deal with diving to his left.
However, that was the only moment that caused any concern to Gresley as they once more dominated the proceedings with Nottingham heading Jepson's corner from the left just over the bar. Jordi Gough's delicate chip only just cleared the bar and a low shot from Massingham needing to be pushed away by the Saints' keeper Louis Connor.
Heather thought they'd scored but a raised flag by the assistant referee halted their celebrations and a minute later deep into time added on Gresley doubled their advantage. A free kick 25 yards out was taken by Jepson who curled an unstoppable shot which beat Connor's despairing dive.
The second half continued in much the same manner as the first with Gough hitting a shot that skimmed the top of the bar.
In a rare venture into the opposition half, Saints Troy Wallen found himself through on goal but with only Hateley to beat lashed a wild shot well wide.
Gresley dominated the game for large periods. Goodfellow had a shot blocked and Strzyzewiski fired over and from another corner Goodfellow picked out Jepson who in turn sent a cross to the far post where Danny Holmes was on hand to hit a shot that the keeper did well to block near the post.
Heather's goal continued to lead a charmed life as Jepson hit the woodwork, Oliver had a shot on the turn well blocked by Connor and Rob Spencer's follow up shot blocked.
To their credit the Heather defence were throwing bodies in to block shots as the Gresley onslaught looked certain to produce further goals. Oliver's shot on the turn was well blocked, Jepson had a shot pushed away by Connor and Goodfellow placed a chip just wide of the far post.
As time ran out substitute Richard Hanslow hit a shot just wide before Oliver fired his shot over the bar after a good passage of passing football by Gresley.
Just how the game finished with only two goals is any ones guess but a combination of woodwork and defending at any cost kept the score down but a clean-sheet is welcome as are the three points.
Manager's View
Martin Rowe
"We missed quite a few chances today but at least we are creating chances now. In other games we haven't quite done it but today two-nil away we've defended well. Marc Strzyzewski has come in and done well at the back.
"It was a shame we lost Matt Hill so early on but Tom Betteridge came in and did a good job in there which we know he can do anyway.
"I can't remember Gary Hateley having to make a save we just dominated the game and it's just a shame that we couldn't have won by more goals.
"It was nice to see Phil Massingham score today. He had an excellent game and tried to get the ball down and worked well with Dean Oliver.
"I'd just come back after being with Matt and James Jepson put the ball into the top corner and then we had to live with his celebration afterwards.
"Obviously Saturday was a big disappointment. It was a game we all felt we could win but I think the Tuesday night game had taken a lot out of us and it took us a long time to get going.
"On Saturday we created chances again and missed two glorious chances to win the game but that's how it goes. We've just got to keep grinding results out and do what we can to put pressure on the two above us."
