FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Round Qualifying
The Bright Finance Stadium, Sheffield Road, Dronfield
Saturday, 16th November 2013, 3.00pm
Gresley March On In The Trophy
A magnificent fight back from Gresley saw their name in the hat for the First Round Proper of the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Monday morning.
Gresley found themselves two goals down after just 16 minutes after a poor penalty decision and a slot in from a goalkeeper's save but they didn't let their heads drop and came back with a bang going in at the break three goals to two up.
Manager Martin Rowe was forced into making changes with recent signings Jack Langston and Alex Steadman both cup-tied. Mitch Hanson, Jamie Barrett, John Guy, Rob Spencer and Eric Graves all returned to the side after missing the midweek cup game against Eastwood and Paolo Piliero took up his usual slot on the wing.
The game started with the referee Colin Whitaker showing how he meant to go on booking Gresley midfielder Sam Grice after just 11 minutes. Unfortunately, Mr Whitaker's next decision led to Gresley finding themselves a goal down. Spencer made a tackle as clean as a whistle taking the ball from Ben Alger in the area but after a moment's thought the referee pointed to the spot. No-one from the opposition appealed and there was no response from the crowd behind the goal but the referee's decision stood and Andrew Gascoigne sent keeper Alex Townsend the wrong way.
Whether that unjust decision was playing on the Gresley players' minds but five minute later they found themselves two goals down. Guy's half clearance went to Gascoigne who fired a shot at Townsend which Townsend did well to parry but Zeph Thomas followed up smartly slotting the ball home from close in.
To Gresley's credit these unfortunate events didn't demoralise them but to the contrary it galvanised them into a fight back that got its rewards minutes later. A poor clearance from the Sheffield defence landed nicely for Piliero who superbly volleyed the ball back from 20 yards beating keeper Rob Poulter.
Gresley went looking for another goal and it took a last ditch perfectly timed tackle on Kieran O'Connell deep in the Sheffield area, ending a great footballing move, to deny them.
More pressure from the visitors resulted in a fine run down the right by Jordan Nadat but his low cross into the box eluded the outstretched leg of Piliero by a fraction.
Gresley levelled with a superb curling free kick from the left by Guy with Nadat on hand to head the into the far top corner of the net leaving Poulter a mere spectator rooted to the spot.
Another superb free kick from Guy, this time from the right, gave his side the lead just before the break as again Poulter was left a helpless bystander as he watched the ball curl into his top corner.
Gresley were expecting the home side to come fast out of the blocks for the second half but the treat didn't materialise and it was the visitors who added to their tally. A curling free kick from the right this time taken by Piliero was helped into the net by Liam Guest for his first goal for the club.
Sheffield tried to get back into the game and it took a good block from Townsend at his near post to prevent substitute Matt Roney from reducing the arrears. They went close again minutes later when Thomas was put though on goal but he blazed his final shot well over the bar and then Steve Woolley brought off a good save from Townsend who did well to hold onto the low shot.
Guy made a good run down the left before unleashing a tremendous shot which just missed the near post and O'Connell fired a stinging low shot that was well held by Poulter diving to his right.
Piliero almost had the final say in the game when he was picked out by O'Connell but he scuffed his shot firing wide of Poulter's far post.
Manager's View
"We were absolutely brilliant in the first half and to be fair I've got to thank the referee for it. He a penalty which was never, ever a penalty and it knocked us for six. It wasn't a penalty and all the decisions were going against us and they got another goal. After that we took control and really played well today.
"I said to John Guy that his was the best left back performances I'd seen in a long time and I've been in football a long time. I wanted him to continue it in the second half. Unfortunately, the pitch in the bottom quarter was boggy so he couldn't get forward more and play the game like he did in the first half. Credit to Poalo Piliero he scored a wonder goal to get us back into the game. He caught it sweetly and straight back into the net.
"We knew that Sheffield would change their formation and put us under a bit more pressure. They had one or two chances where they could have scored but we've done well defensively again today. We lost Mitch Hanson with a cut eye and Lucas Harrison came on into left back and did a job.
"Also, I thought the midfield did well today. Eric Graves has played well again today but Sam Grice has done wonders running all over the pitch winning the ball or getting forward.
"Unfortunately Jack Langston and Alex Steadman were out today but to be fair it was by far our best performance of the season so far. Things are looking good but we all know that football can come back and kick you in the teeth so we've got to keep our feet on the ground and just keep working hard.
"Royce Turville was at a wedding and unfortunately Dean Oliver picked a sickness bug up on Wednesday which is why he didn't play midweek and he's still under the weather and not returned to work and that's why he wasn't with us today.
"We may pass Tuesday's match at Shepshed over to the reserves to be fair. I don't want to pick up any more injuries so I'll most likely give a game to those who were on the bench today along with jack Langston and Alex Steadman and the rest we'll fill with reserve team players. It's just come a bit too soon after today. Marc Strzyzewski is still struggling with his dead-leg but he should be alright for Tuesday but we'll have to wait and see on that one.
"We've spoken to Derby County regarding a keeper but unfortunately we will not be taking one from there. I've had a word with Alex Townsend and he's done nothing wrong and he's proved it again today he's had an exceptional game so we'll stick with Alex.
"We had an approach from Carlton Town for Jordan Nadat and they've offered him a really good package. We are desperately trying to keep him at the club that's why we are appealing for sponsors all the time because we are struggling to match what Carlton are offering him and unless someone comes in at the last minute Jordan may go. We are hoping he'll stay and we can keep moving on.
"Now we're through to another round in the Trophy it's more important that we keep Jordan at the club. We'll keep talking to Jordan but we really need to resolve the situation as soon as possible. But, that's football. The club got into trouble once by spending too much money so we may have to let Jordan go but hopefully not.
"I've got no preference for who we meet in the next round. In the FA Cup we were unlucky not to have beaten Brackley. The confidence is high at the moment so I'd like anyone at home to be fair."
