Steve Hackett Memorial Shield Semi-Final
The Hawfields, Newhall
Thursday, 26th July 2012, 7.00pm
Gresley Into Final
Gresley went through to the final of the Steve Hackett Memorial Shield beating Stretton Eagles on penalties after finishing all square at 3-3.
On a very bobbly pitch both sides found it difficult to come to terms with the uneven surface but it was Gresley that carved out the most chances in the first half with Kyle Bryant having the most.
Gresley should have opened the scoring with just 3 minutes on the clock by Bryant hit shot well over the bar from a good position.
Six minutes later Bryant at the far post hit the ball into the goalkeeper's arms after Jamie Barrett had flicked on Gareth Langford's corner.
Against the run of play Stretton almost took the lead when a corner by Stuart Lynn was headed powerfully towards goal by Chad Gaynor but surprise Gresley keeper defender Marc Strzyzewski did well to push the ball away.
Bryant made a good run down the left before laying the ball on for Rob Spencer whose shot was cleared only as far as Richard Hanslow who had his effort cleared off the line.
It was Dan Douglas's turn to have a header cleared off the line and the ball fell for Bryant who fired his shot over the bar.
Eagles took the lead on 24 minutes. After Spencer had been robbed of the ball on the halfway line Tom Ellerton raced forward onto the through ball and beat Strzyzewski to the ball slipping it past him before side footing it into the unguarded net.
The lead only lasted two minutes when Hanslow produced some good work down the left before sending a low cross into the area where Bryant did well to collect the ball, turn and fire a low shot inside the far post and past the keeper.
Spencer was then put through by Hanslow but the poor surface didn't help as the Gresley man fired just past the far post. It was then Hanslow's turn to try his hand. His first attempt was well saved by the keeper who did well again this time pushing away Hanslow's curling shot.
Gresley ended the half they dominated with two more chances. The first falling to Douglas who put his header straight at the keeper and almost on the whistle Hanslow put his header over the bar from Roome's cross.
Eagles regained the lead after 6 minutes of the second half when a nothing shot from Lynn seemed to bobble all the way into the net. Spencer almost hit back immediately when he raced onto a through ball only to poke the ball just wide under pressure from a defender.
Gresley were level again on 58 minutes as a result of a good flowing move. Bryant fed the ball through to Hanslow who in turn sent Spencer on his way and his low shot beat the keeper to square the game yet again.
Stretton were still looking dangerous with Craig Swinfield hitting a superb long-range shot that Strzyzewski did well to deal with. However, he wasn't able to prevent Stretton from once more taking the lead. A low cross into the area was allowed to run through to the far post where Lynn looking a yard offside beat Strzyzewski to the ball before knocking the ball home.
Substitute Colby McAndrew almost drew Gresley level with a good header which unfortunately went straight at the keeper.
With time almost up and Stretton looking like they'd have the better of Gresley for a second season substitute Sam Grice hit an absolutely cracker of a shot from 35 yards that sailed over the keeper before dipping under the bar and into the net.
It was agreed that rather than extra time penalties would decide who went through to the final against either Newhall United or Stapenhill.
Gresley were chosen to take the first spot kick with Langford blasting the ball past the Stretton keeper. Scott Walkman mad no mistake with his shot beating Strzyzweski.
Hanslow smashed Gresley's second penalty home but Karl Wayte fired his wide of the mark. Jamie Barrett hit number three for Gresley putting the pressure on the shoulders of Stretton's Peter Martin. Although the substitute hit the ball well enough, Strzyzewski chose the correct way to dive pulling off a save a regular keeper would be proud of pushing the ball away to his right.
If Gresley converted the next penalty then the game would be over and McAdam made no mistake sending his side into the final.
