Evo-Stik Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 6th September 2014, 3.00pm
Gresley Bounce Back
Gresley bounced back from their midweek FA Cup defeat at Cleethorpes in fine style with Alex Steadman, Brad Wells, Mitch Hanson and Kieran O'Connell all finding the back of the net.
Wayne Thornhill made changes to the team with Matt Roome and Mitch Hanson returning to the squad after missing the trip to Grimsby. There was a surprise new face on the bench as young reserve player Ryan King joined the first team squad.
Thornhill also had to shuffle the positions about a little with John Guy shuffling over to fill the left back slot in place of the holidaying Lucas Harrison. Hanson was asked to take on the central defensive slot alongside Jamie Barrett and did so brilliantly.
The game started well for Gresley with Steadman ending a fine run through the middle of the field before powering his shot past the helpless keeper Rob Peet.
It was just the start the Moatmen needed however they were pegged back 14 minutes later when Sean Wright rose well to head home powerfully from Glynn Cotton's corner from the right.
Gresley had a shot pushed away by Peet but it was the visitors who were slowing coming back into the game with Cotton firing a shot into the side netting.
Steadman then brought out a fine save from Peet who, diving to his right, got a hand to the low drive to push it away for a corner.
Wells went close to giving Gresley the lead once more just before the halftime break when he controlled a ball which came over the box to the far post but he could only steer his shot wide.
Gresley started well in the second half with Matt Roome lifting a ball to the back post but Wells' header was blocked. O'Connell then went close but his effort was blocked with the rebound being hit wide by Wells.
O'Connell tested Peet before Wells restored Gresley's advantage. John Guy picked out Wells who made a run down the right before curling a superb shot into the top near corner leaving Peet grasping thin air.
Some good football from Gresley almost produced a third goal when O'Connell's fine pass found Steadman but the final shot was blocked.
A rare attempt on goal from the visitors saw substitute Danny Brooks hit a shot which home keeper Alex Townsend dealt with easily.
O'Connell was involved again when he supplied a fine ball through to substitute Rob Mulonga but again the attempt was blocked. Guy tried his luck from distance but Peel was up to the task catching the ball safely.
Gresley increased their lead when O'Connell was tripped in the area by Cotton. Hanson took the spot kick sending the keeper the wrong way with a perfectly taken penalty kick.
The scoring was completed with O'Connell scoring the goal he deserved. A great pass from Jack Langston was collected by O'Connell who turned and fired a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Manager's View
Wayne Thornhill
"It didn't look like we'd win this game so convincingly. It's been a difficult week for the club and personally for me but I spoke to the guys individually and collectively in the week to prepare them for this game in the best possible way.
"First half I was happy with the first twenty minutes. We moved the ball quite well and got it forward but when we got it there we seemed to lack ideas.
"Half time I spoke to the guys and discussed what we wanted them to do and finalise certain areas we wanted to play in and to have a little bit of movement. I like my players to play with freedom and when they do that's what we can do to teams. We need to do it more often to be honest particularly finding the back of the net and taking the chances. We still missed three or four.
"We had four different scorers today. The more the better because it shows we have areas of the pitch we are going to be a threat on all different types of occasions. Four different scorers is a bonus and as long as they keep putting them in I don't mind who scores them. As long as we are putting the chances away we can keep improving because we're reasonably solid as a team and if we keep it solid it allows the forwards to get on with their game.
"I wasn't surprised when Mitch Hanson took the penalty. It happened at the back end of last season and it was decided that if Mitch was playing he'd take the penalties. We had a little shooting competition and he came out on top. There are one or two arguing but for me it was never a doubt as it was always going to be finished correctly by Mitch. He has the right mentality to step up and take it. He has to be brave and he is and I think that particular goal was the difference.
"It was a major bonus that although we'd played extra time in midweek we finished the stronger today. We didn't plan on playing one hundred and twenty minutes during the week and as I've said previously it was a difficult situation during the week. However, the players who went to Cleethorpes gave one hundred per cent and I couldn't have asked any more from them.
"I've had to ask them to do the same again today and the substitutes have come with the right attitude. We've won this game not just the players on the pitch but as a squad and management team and that's always a bonus.
"Sam Grice has been unfortunate. He was playing well in pre-season but took a serious knock on his knee. He came back sooner than we thought and he's ready to play. He knows he's not ready to play ninety minutes. Sam's had a couple of games in the reserves so he's getting stronger and I've said to him that by the end of September I want him pushing for places so he's set himself a little target which may involve him going out on loan, but that's only maybe as that depends on the squad and how and when we can use Sam.
"Regarding the young lad Ryan King, I have sources at Burton Albion. He's been involved with their academy so I know he's a good player. He's played two games for our reserves and done particularly well. I want to look at bridging the game between the reserves and the youth team and show them they have a chance at the club.
"We need fresh faces because unfortunately with a budget like ours we can't compete with the major people and if we're bringing in quality players from the youth team and the reserves that can only be good for Gresley Football Club.
"Rob Ritchie-Smith has a tight hamstring. He wanted to be involved today but he felt it was a little too soon and with the squad we've got we decided together that we'd give him an extra four or five days recovery with a view to getting involved on Tuesday or next weekend.
"It's a very similar situation with Eric Graves. He had an issue before the game at Cleethorpes and I didn't think he was going to last twenty minutes but due to the situation he absolutely battled through that game and ended up working for one hundred and twenty minutes. His knee swelled up on Thursday and Friday and I phoned him yesterday and between us decided that if he missed today's game he'll be fit for Tuesday rather than play today and end up missing four or five games.
"It was a management decision but we were looking at the player's interest but overall the clubs interest because he's a quality player.
"We have Sheffield away on Tuesday which is always a difficult team to beat particularly at their place. I actually enjoy playing at Sheffield because it's a nice pitch and a nice place to visit and we've been successful there for the last two years so I'm looking for a good performance again. I've just finished my team talk asking the players can you go and do it again and move onto the next game because one result is not going to be enough for Gresley football club, we've got to keep going so we build on that and keep on achieving.
"We play on Tuesday and again on Saturday and if we could get maximum points the whole season changes."
