Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 19th April 2014, 3.00pm
Scarborough Take The Points
This wasn't the best of games and had the end-of-season feel about it. Scarborough who made the long trip to South Derbyshire on a beautiful sunny day deserved the three points in the end with two goals in the second half from Andrew Milne and Jordan Thwelis, but they were made to work hard for them
Gresley manager named the same side who had won at Market Drayton last week and had both Liam Guest and Royce Turville on the bench.
Way back in August last year Gresley made the trip to Bridlington and came away with all three points through Rob Spencer's goal and the visitors looked to reverse that score and push towards a top six finish.
Scarborough were looked on as pre-season favourites to take the title at their first attempt but they have had a disappointing season and the six points they were deducted after Eastwood's demise virtually saw an end of any play-off hopes they had.
Gresley started well and were unfortunate not to have taken an early lead. A corner from the left by Paolo Piliero eventually found its way to John Guy who turned and hit his shot and was unlucky to see the ball strike the bar with the keeper beaten.
Scarborough's first chance came from a free kick taken on the left just outside the area by Ryan Williams. His well hit shot was heading towards the near top corner but a terrific save from Mats Morch saw him acrobatically tip the ball over the bar.
Morch was in action five minutes later. A blistering shot from Grant Ryan saw the keeper dive low to his left grabbing the ball at the second attempt.
Gresley had one more chance before the break when Piliero hit a volley that went straight into the hands of visiting keeper Jason White.
Scarborough took the lead within twelve minutes of the second half starting. Ryan was allowed to get in his cross from the right and Andrew Milne was waiting to head the ball home.
The visitors could have doubled their score minutes later but Morch once more denied them as he held onto a good shot from Williams.
Gresley were a little unfortunate not to have levelled things but were denied once more by the woodwork. Serge Makofo did well down the right and picked out O'Connell who in turn curled a shot which struck the base of the far post before bouncing into the hands of White.
O'Connell had another good chance just a few moments later but his curled shot this time flew the wrong side of the far post.
Morch kept his side in the game making two fine saves. The first from a swerving shot which he couldn't hold and as the ball bounced forward Ryan dived to head the ball goalwards but Morch reacted brilliantly to block the header from close in but he could do nothing to deny Scarborough a second goal.
A ball forward for Thewlis looked to have been easily dealt with by Jamie Barrett but the unfortunate defender slipped at the vital moment allowing Thewlis to race forward and slip the ball past the advancing Morch with the ball going in with the help of the far post.
Both sides had chances at the end of the game with Eric Graves firing wide and Thewlis having his volley parried well by Morch.
Manager's View
"After our last two wins we were quietly confident that we could get something out of the game. It was a difficult pitch but it's not the pitch but the players on the pitch.
"They were not at the races today but we did well enough in the first half but in the second half Scarborough changed their formation and went the same as us 4-3-3 and we couldn't cope with it. We didn't work hard enough back, we didn't cover the full back and we got what we deserved.
"There were very poor performances by us and there is not a lot more I can say. We've had a chat with the players. Some of them look a bit tired but it looked an end of the season game to me. We should want it a bit more when we play at home and we've had that all season but unfortunately it was not there today.
"We had two or three chances where we should have score but we didn't take that and Mats Morch has been the busiest keeper on the day. You could only pick a few players out today so we have to take it on the chin and bounce back on Monday.
"On Monday we are going to Coalville with nothing to lose. There will be a lot of pressure on Coalville because they've got to win but if we defend well enough we can hit them on the break but if we play like we did today we will get hammered and it's up to me and Wayne to make sure we pick the right side.
"Rob Spencer will be back for Monday but Alex Steadman is unavailable so there will be one change. Rob will come back into the squad and he's one of those players who can upset things because he's a grafter and we didn't have enough grafters today.
"We have a new vice chairman because Mark Harrison had to stand down and I'm sure his replacement Keith Milner will help because the chairman needs it. Being chairman of a football club is a very difficult job. You come into a lot of criticism and it's nice to see that Keith will be there to help him. It's the same with Ian Collins being the secretary and helping Reg Shorthouse with all his duties on a match day.
"Keith has certainly been a help to me this season and has already given me a list of players for next season. It's the right way for the club to go and we are starting to build the board of directors and the committee up which is only good for Gresley.
"Richard Butler is still working abroad on the oil rigs. I spoke to him last week wanting to know what his commitment was for next year and he will be here for all next season. I have missed him and it will be nice to have him back and we are already planning for next year.
"Regarding the goal keeping position, I've not spoken to Eric Steele as he has other things on his mind at the moment to be fair so we will wait on that one until the end of the season. We've already got Alex Townsend itching for a first team place and I'm sure there will be other keepers queuing up to play for Gresley."
