Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Tuesday, 16th October 2012, 7.45pm
Gresley Bounce Back With A Win
Gresley dug deep and showed their character as they bounced back from the disappointing defeat at Lincoln to win an enthralling game at the Moat Ground.
A goal from Marc Goodfellow, his eleventh in eleven games, and a brace from Richard Hanslow ensured the Moatmen took all three well deserved three points and gained a little revenge for their FA Trophy defeat at The Grove a couple of weeks ago.
Midfielder Danny Holmes was making his first appearance of the season, Jordi Gough was back from suspension, Marc Strzyzewski had shrugged off his injury and new signing defender Sam Wood was on the bench to help bolster the Gresley ranks and the difference they made was clearly evident as Gresley put in a second half performance to warm the hearts of the Moat Ground faithful.
Halesowen had the better of the first half hour or so with prolific scorer Ben Haseley bringing out an early save from Gresley keeper Gary Hateley as he hit Jean-Michel Gueyes' pass towards the near post.
The visitors continued to press forward but Gresley went close at the other end with Michael Nottingham heading a free kick just over the bar.
Halesowen took the lead on 25 minutes when Gueyes was tripped not once but twice in the area with referee Alix Pashley pointing at the spot. Luke Corbett made no mistake scoring his third penalty against Gresley this season.
The home side began to settle and were beginning to produce some good football with the action going from end to end. Holmes went close heading James Jepson's corner wide while Hateley was being tested making a fine save followed by Mickey Lyons firing a low shot which was well held by keeper Paul Evans.
Five minutes before the break Gresley were level when a tackle from Massingham on the edge of Town's area saw the ball fly out to Goodfellow who hit a first time shot that flew past Evans and into the top far corner.
Gough then made a good run down the left and his cross was headed narrowly over the bar by Hanslow. On the stroke of half time Halesowen were extremely fortunate to go in still with eleven men on the pitch when Gavin Winsper literally left his mark on the shin of Jepson only to receive a yellow card when a red would have been more appropriate for the dreadful studs up tackle.
Halesowen almost regained the lead when a free kick looked goal bound until Hateley got his outstretched foot on the ball to knock it away.
Hanslow did well to hit a testing shot on the turn which Evans did well to keep hold of. Minutes later Gresley should arguably have been awarded a spot kick of their own when a defender clearly handled the ball in the area but despite a loud appeal from the players and supporters alike the referee chose to ignore protestations. Goodfellow then put an inviting cross into the box which was inches away from Jamie Barrett.
Gresley deservedly took the lead on 70 minutes when Goodfellow picked out Hanslow who controlled the ball superbly before clipping it over Evans.
Lyons then went close but his goal bound effort took a big deflection away for a corner. Hanslow thought he'd scored his second of the evening but was unluckily denied by the raised flag of the assistant referee.
Hateley needed to be alert when Craig Milligan fired a shot but the Gresley keeper held onto to the ball with Halesowen forwards racing in for any loose ball.
The visitors went close to grabbing an equaliser when Haseley running in at the far post connected with Milligan's corner from the right but the shot flew into the side netting.
In his last action of the night Corbett should have done much better when he found himself unmarked in the centre of Gresley's area only to smash his shot on the turn well over the bar.
Goodfellow then hit a volley straight at Evans moments before Gresley increased their advantage. Hanslow did well to harry the Halesowen defence robbing them of the ball before shooting across Evans and into the far bottom corner.
The visitors did score again deep into injury time. Substitute Dan Evans looking suspiciously a yard or two offside raced down the right and his cross was tapped home at the far post by Haseley.
Manager's View
Martin Rowe
"Obviously, me, Gary Norton, Steve Titterton and Hannah Dingley were disappointed on Saturday. I think it was just one of those days but, it was the way we lost that we didn't like at all.
"Luckily we've managed to get Danny Holmes back tonight and it's the first time we've been able to change the way we play because we've been trying to give Mickey Lyons and James Jepson a bit more room in midfield and that's what happened tonight. They were both on the ball all the time and creating as well.
"Obviously losing Dean Oliver up front was a bit of a blow but I thought Richard Hanslow and Phil Massingham did very well tonight both showing and stepped up for it and did very well.
"Missing Marc Strzyzewski on Saturday and with Dan Douglas's injury we were a bit short but unfortunately Matt Millns didn't quite come off but having Strez and Jordi Gough back made a hell of a difference and made us more solid at the back.
"It was disappointing to concede in the last few minutes but what we wanted to do today was to bounce back and win the game which we've done. We've played well tonight and I think it's the first time we've played well for the whole ninety minutes. We've had half an hour, three quarters of the game but we've never really played well for ninety minutes but we did tonight.
"Although Marc Goodfellow's been scoring the goals it's the team which has allowed him to score those goals. They've made those opportunities for Marc to be able to get on the ball and stick it into the back of the net and it was nice to see Richard get two as well but Phil did well tonight but both of them have been carrying injuries and both are still carrying them today and hopefully they can both get better now.
"We have Royce Turville coming back from injury. He's started training now but we may look to add to the strikers but it's got to be the right person for the club. We'll keep looking but we're quite happy with the three strikers we've got once Royce is fit again.
"The new signing Sam Wood is at Loughborough University at the moment and we knew we needed to strengthen the back four up and Sam's been brought in as full back as we need a bit of cover for Jamie Barrett who had his best game of the season, I've never known him to get forward as much!"
