FA Carlsberg Trophy Second Round Qualifying
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 2nd November 2013, 3.00pm
Trophy Delight For Gresley
Gresley got the better of another Evo-Stik Premier outfit as they progressed into the next round of FA Carlsberg Trophy. After beating Ilkeston in the previous round this time they saw off Trafford on a very heavy pitch with two goals from Kieran O'Connell a minute before the halftime break.
Gresley manager Martin Rowe was forced into a change with recent signing Jack Langston cup-tied. However, Mitch Hanson returned in the right-back slot and John Guy at centre half. Skipper Jamie Barrett was making his 200th appearance for the club.
The first half hour or so was a scrappy affair with Gresley forcing several corners which came to nothing and two or three half chances which also went begging. As the home side began to take control they were still finding that killer ball which was needed to open the visiting defence.
The half was lit up with time almost up. A through ball from Rob Spencer sent O'Connell on his way and he completed the move by coolly slipping the ball past Trafford keeper Kieran O'Hara.
Gresley won the ball back from the kick-off and raced forward and with barely a minute on the clock since the first goal O'Connell fired a shot which found the bottom corner with a little help from a defender.
The second half started with Gresley pushing the Trafford defence back and from a short corner Jamie Barrett hit a shot that fizzed over the bar. Spencer then got his head to Paolo Piliero's free kick but his effort went wide.
Jordan Nadat was then unlucky to see his goal bound shot on the turn blocked on the line as the Moatmen looked likely to add to their total.
On 73 minutes Trafford's miserable afternoon was made a whole lot worse as Martyn Andrews received a second yellow card for a reckless tackle on the halfway line followed by the inevitable red.
One of the best moves of the game came down the left with Harrison finishing the move off with a thunderous shot which Trafford keeper O'Hara did very well to react to quickly pushing the ball away for a corner at his near post. Piliero then tried a shot from distance which went narrowly wide.
Trafford had failed to test Gresley keeper Ross Etheridge with their three shot's on target during the game as each one lacked any power to trouble the stopper and the visitors would have plenty to dwell on as they made their long journey back up the M6.
Gresley and all their supporters will now be waiting with baited breath to see who they draw on Monday morning.
Manager's View
"I think we've done really well. It was a bit frustrating in the first half but the conditions today weren't too good for football, far too windy. I think the weatherman got it wrong we were due this bad storm last week and it looks like we've got it this week.
"We didn't play particularly well in the first half but we worked hard closing them down and by putting them under pressure they made mistakes and Kieran O'Connell got the two goals.
"The goals came at the right time for us. We say that when we are going uphill we like to keep a clean sheet so we can go a bit more at it in the second half but today in the second half the wind got the better of us. It got the better of both teams and spoilt the game.
"I've praised John Guy in my programme notes today. I thought he had one of his best games last week at left back but he's been awesome at centre back today. Some of his last ditch tackles looked really good and he's showing what a quality player he really is.
"We took Mitch Hanson off as a precaution. He's been out for a fortnight so we were just making sure but I was glad he got through the game today. Hayden Johns has not done anything wrong and he had a real good game in midweek but I went with a bit of experience at the back today.
"The second goal was definitely Kieran's. I asked Jordan Nadat whether it was an own goal and he said no it was Kieran's.
"Looking at Tuesday Jack Langston will be the only one back. The team has a lot of confidence at the moment. We are defending well. Yes, we had the hiccup against Halesowen but we've done well this season and from where we were to now I think we're getting better. It takes time to turn a team around and bring new players in but they are all starting to bond together now.
"I'll have anyone here in the next round. I think we've had one defeat in ten and we are doing well now. It's about time and we've got to stick at it and stick together.
"Marc Goodfellow will be leaving the club. He's had offers from other clubs basically tripling his wages and if I'm honest we're struggling to pay him what he's on now. The club has been appealing for sponsors all year and unfortunately those sponsors haven't come along so occasionally we will lose our better players to other clubs that have more money.
"The spirit in the dressing room is really good at the moment so we'll keep working with what we've got and hopefully the committee will continue to try and get more money on the budget but we'll go with what we've got because we don't want to get in trouble like we have been in recent years so we'll stick to our budget.
"Today was a nice bonus all round. We are moving on and are in the next round. It would be nice to get a big club at the Moat Ground or away. It's always nice to win games and hopefully we can keep the club going forward.
"Marc Strzyzewski wanted to be on the bench today but chatting to him all week we felt he wasn't quite ready. It will more likely be next week when he's ready.
"Lucas Harrison will miss the Carlton game through suspension. I thought he did well today after his disappointing game last week. He's learning, he's only a young player and it's his first time at this level. Perhaps we've been expecting a bit too much from him but he's getting better and better."
