Derbyshire Senior Cup 3rd Round
The New Manor Ground, Ilkeston
Tuesday, 10th December 2013, 7.45pm
Cup Exit For Gresley
Gresley slipped out of the Derbyshire Senior Cup at the 3rd Round as they fell to a narrow defeat at Evo-Stik Premier outfit Ilkeston.
A much improved performance from the visitors could have been topped off with a win if they had been more clinical with the chances they created, chances which snuffed out either by fine saves from the Ilkeston keeper Rob Peet or the woodwork.
Gresley manager Martin Rowe made changes to the starting line-up with Lucas Harrison coming in at left back, John Guy moving to centre half alongside Liam Guest and Royce Turville given the striker's role with Alex Steadman returning to a wide position. Skipper Jamie Barrett is still away on holiday.
The first half was void of much to report but was fairly even with neither goalkeeper tested. However, Ilkeston took the lead just before the break when the referee Mr Hawkins gave a corner which was hotly disputed by the Gresley players as the ball had clearly come off one of the opposition. The corner, taken by Ryan Wilson, was only half cleared and a strongly hit shot was blasted towards the goal with Matt Morch parrying the ball but Danny Gordon was quick to react slamming it back into the unguarded net. The goal was a little harsh on Gresley who deserved to have gone in at the interval on level terms.
Steadman went agonisingly close to levelling the score five minutes into the second half but Peet did extremely well to get a fingertip to the stinging shot to turn the ball over for a corner. Jack Langston swung in the flag kick which was met by Guest who headed just over the bar at the near post.
Eric Graves tested the keeper who had to take two attempts to gather the ball as Gresley players raced in for the loose ball. Harrison then sent a cross which Rob Spencer headed straight at Peet. Ilkeston replied to the pressure with Che Adams curling a shot which whistled narrowly past the post.
Gresley were unlucky not to have scored when substitute Paolo Piliero hit a shot which took a deflection but with Peet helpless the ball crashed back off the bar. Minutes later Gresley went close again when Steadman raced down the left before finding Kieran O'Connell who just couldn't connect well enough to test Peet.
A fine move from Gresley ended with Steadman curling a shot which looked certain to end up in the far bottom corner of the net but Peet with an outstretched leg managed to get his toe to the ball sending it away for a corner.
A rare second half attempt on goal by the home side came from substitute Gary Ricketts who hit a superb shot on the turn but Morch was up to the task making a fine save.
The final attack of the game belonged to the visitors which saw Steadman in on goal but with only Peet to beat the keeper made another good block to deny Gresley a fully deserved thirty minutes of extra time at least.
