Evo-Stik Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 23rd August 2014, 3.00pm
Good Three Points For Gresley
Gresley claimed their first win of their new league campaign at the Moat Ground beating newly promoted Norton United through goals from Alex Steadman, Kieran O'Connell and Rob Ritchie-Smith. Richard Smith scored a consolation goal for the visitors.
Stoke on Trent based Norton United where making their first visit to the Moat Ground after winning the North West Counties League last season by five points and scoring over 100 goals to be promoted to the highest level in their 25 year history.
Manager Martin Rowe made two changes giving both Martin Smyth and Jack Langston the start with Rob Mulonga and Ritchie-Smith on the bench and it was the Moatmen who made the better start with O'Connell going close in the early minutes.
United's first chance fell to Michael Lennon but the shot flew over the bar. Gresley hit back with Steadman's header being blocked for a corner.
The visitors were just inches away from taking the lead on 26 minutes when a long throw-in from Tom Winkle agonisingly evaded the inrushing Smith at the near post.
However, it was Gresley who were having the most chances. John Guy headed Lucas Harrison's corner marginally wide of the far post and then Smyth fired a shot also wide.
Smyth had another chance moments later when he hit a low shot from Matt Roome's pass straight at United's keeper Ryan Boot.
Steadman cut in from the right only to put his shot into the side netting and then Smyth turned in the box but again Boot held onto the shot.
Gresley were creating chances and surely the second half would produce some goals.
The second period began as the first had finished with Gresley on top. Langston brought out a fine save from Boot as his curling shot from the left was heading into the far top corner until the keeper managed to get a hand to the ball to push it away.
More good football from the home side between O'Connell and Steadman went close to opening the United defence up but Steadman's header went wide.
The goal the home crowd craved came just before the hour mark. O'Connell fed a glorious ball through for Steadman to run onto to and despite the attention of a defender he strode forward and then lofted the ball past the onrushing Boot.
That goal lifted the tension around the ground and the team responded to it and they went looking for another forcing four consecutive corners. Smyth sent a great ball through to Steadman who looked like he was going to repeat his for goal but this time Boot made a good block but no Gresley player could put the rebound away.
The second goal came from a Mitch Hanson cross from the right and O'Connell was on hand to slip the ball home at the far post.
Gresley were turning the screw now with Eric Graves ending his run down the right with a shot that was blocked. O'Connell then hit a rising shot that cleared the cross bar and then seconds later having his shot blocked on the line by a defender. Harrison then had a sight of goal but he fired well over the bar.
United reduced the deficit on 90 minutes and what a goal it was. A ball was only half cleared to Smith who hit a tremendous first time shot from 22 yards which gave Gresley keeper Tom Turner no chance as it flew into the net.
Within a minute Gresley had restored their two goal advantage. Substitute Mulonga made a good run down the right and sent in a low cross which substitute Brad Wells cleverly dummied flat footing the defence leaving fellow substitute Ritchie-Smith to hit an unstoppable shot from just outside the area beating the helpless Boot.
Manager's View
"That was a lot better. We started the game very positive and direct and I counted at least ten good chances we created in the first half and we didn't put them away.
"I went into the dressing room at half time and everyone was arguing with each other because the players were very disappointed we were not winning the game. The attacking three were arguing with the back four but it shows that they care.
"Once we got the goal I don't think there was going to be any doubt. I was disappointed they got one but we kept creating in the second half as well and we were unlucky not to have won by more.
"Their goal was one of those where the central defender thought 'I'll just hit it' and it absolutely flew but we'd switched off, someone should have closed him down much sooner which was disappointing.
"I've just said to the lads that we should have won two and drawn one by now and we'd have been in a totally different position.
"Some have said we didn't play well at Chasetown but I thought we did and we created chances. The time to worry is when you are not creating chances in front of goal which we are doing at the moment. There were at least eighteen clear-cut chances in front of goal today.
"Both Alex Steadman and Kieran O'Connell could have had a hat-full each today at least a hat-trick each. The team stuck together and got three points.
"I thought the two chances were beneficial. I think Jack Langston gave us a bit more going forward and martin Smyth is just a bit more composed on the ball than Rob Rotchie-Smith is and we were able to keep the ball up front a bit more which we did for periods today. I thought the players did well and Martin was unlucky not to have scored.
"I've said to the lads that once you've scored you can't settle for that in this league you've got to go and finish teams off. We should have done that in the first half to be fair.
"Rob Spencer and Mickey Lyons have both signed for the club. Rob will help us out if we are struggling and I spoke to Mickey Lyons about three weeks ago. He is struggling with work commitments so he can't make midweek games or training and he thought it was in his best interest that he looked for another club. He just couldn't give us that commitment anymore.
"I think Mickey is probably one of the best footballers we've had at this club at least since I've been here. He's done really well for us but there comes a time when players have to move on. Mickey struggled to make it to games and training all last season and it wasn't going to change for this season.
"It was good to see our secretary back at the Moat. He's not had a very good time but everyone at the club has been wishing him well and it was good to have him back today. Ian is a very professional person and he does a good job for the club and we're in a better position for having him back.
"We have a local Derby on Monday. Mickleover have improved their squad again and I'm sure they will be there or there about at the end of the season. It's going to be a very difficult game for us but as you've seen today, we are now creating chances and actually starting to put them away.
"We are going there with a lot of confidence after today's game and we are looking forward to the game."
