Evo-Stik Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 4th October 2014, 3.00pm
Gresley Go Third
Gresley find themselves in third position after coming out on top of an entertaining game at the Moat Ground through goals from Kieran O'Connell and Luke Edwards against a useful Newcastle Town.
The Moatmen have now won four league games on the trot, the first time since their Midland Alliance days.
Caretaker manager Wayne Thornhill made just one change to his side with Mitch Hanson returning after missing Monday's trip to Romulus meaning Rob Mulonga returned to a place on the bench.
After a very wet morning in South Derbyshire the sun came out and the biggest crowd of the season were entertained by an enthralling game.
Gresley went close after just two minutes when a free kick by Lucas Harrison on the left was narrowly headed over the bar by Edwards.
They went close again a few minutes later, this time Martin Smyth's curling effort needed to be headed over his own bar by Phil Parkinson.
Town's keeper Ryan Boot then denied Harrison a goal straight from a corner by tipping the attempt over the bar.
However, Gresley didn't have to wait long for the goal they had threatened to score. O'Connell did well in the area and then rolled the ball past Boot and into the far bottom corner for his tenth league goal of this campaign and his eleventh in all competitions.
Gresley went close to extending their lead minutes later when Smyth mad a good run into the box but his shot hit the side netting.
The first attempt of note from the visitors came when Tom France's cross from the right was headed well wide by Jordan Cole.
Gresley's Jack Langston then tried to emulate his stupendous goal at Romulus but this time his dipping volley just cleared the bar.
There was then a delay in proceedings when Edwards received a head injury but thankfully was able to continue after some treatment.
The Moatmen were continuing to press their visitors back and a low free kick from Hanson almost caught Boot out but he managed to keep hold of the ball as it flew past his wall.
Edwards looked to have shaken the affects of the injury he'd earlier sustained when he was fed a pass from O'Connell but his low shot was held by Boot.
As the first half drew to a halt Town had the chance to go in all square. A slip by Harrison allowed substitute the chance to race through but with just Gresley keeper Ross Atkins to beat he could only skew his shot wide of the near post.
Town looked determined as they started the second half but it was Gresley who had the first chance. A corner from the left by Harrison curled in towards the far top corner and Boot needed to get a fingertip to the ball to put it over the bar.
The hosts had a very good shout for a penalty on 70 minutes. Has Alex Steadman swung in a corner from the left Hanson was ready to get his head to the ball in the centre of the area but was prevented by a blatant push in his back but referee Chris Sewell waved away the appeals.
Steadman then set the ball up for Langston who hit a vicious shot which Boot managed to parry before picking the ball up.
Boot then saved his side from going further behind. Steadman made a good run down the left, cut in and hit a shot which looked goal bound until Boot stuck out a leg to block the effort.
Steadman was denied yet again by Boot. A free kick by Langston was slipped to Smyth who in turn picked out Steadman over on the left who then brought out a breath taking save from the goalkeeper at his near post.
O'Connell, who had been causing Town problems all afternoon, made a mazy rundown the right before feeding the ball through for Edwards in the area who looked to have missed the opportunity as he was hassled by a defender but, due to his persistence, he still managed to loop the ball past Boot and into the net.
Mulonga, who had replaced Steadman, a couple minutes earlier found Langston with a ball that was terrifically struck but Boot tipped the shot over the bar.
A rare attempt on Gresley goal almost produced a consolation for Town in time added on when Tom Sanders' corner was headed in at the near post by James Askey but Atkins kept his clean sheet with a good save.
Manager's View
"It's another three points, another game and we move on. Defensively we were excellent, very tight, two banks of four and the two up front were part of that with how we played so they worked very hard as well.
"It's good that we're playing in little mini teams to create one big team and we're working hard to keep the goals out which is always a good thing for us.
"Both of our front two were fantastic today for two different reasons. First Luke Edwards who deserved his bit of luck with his goal. He's worked ever so hard for us. He took a bit of a knock to the head for the team today so I'm really pleased he got his goal for all his effort.
"Regarding Kieran O'Connell. He's been excellent for us all season, not only is he scoring goals but he's making chances for the other guys and our front two look really sharp at the moment.
"It's pleasing that Kieran has eleven goals already. Last season's top scorer only got twelve. Kieran is good, he's confident and if he's staying in front of goal. His goal was excellent today; he just passed it into the corner. Kieran gets into some good positions and he's a major part of our team and he's doing well.
"Brad Wells has unfortunately left the club. I spent most of the week trying to keep him. However, he has transport problems. He lives over an hour away from Gresley which is not the easiest for training. Long Eaton came in with a very good offer for him. A bit more money than we pay him and it's a little closer to home.
"However, he was a bit disappointing that it was a step down but I'm not going to stop a young man from playing football. He's been a good player for us and we parted on good terms and should he choose to come back at any time I'd be more than happy to work with him.
"It makes it a little easier that we have Callum Riddell almost ready to return. We've got a reasonable squad, a young squad and we have young guys on the bench who are dying to get on but we're playing really well at the minute so they will get minutes here and there.
"Callum broke his arm three or four weeks ago. I believe the cast comes off next week. He's started to train so hopefully he's not far off. Probably he will need a game or two in the reserves just to get some rustiness out of his legs and we are looking to get him involved as soon as possible because he's an exciting young talent for us here at Gresley along with Ryan King.
"I was tempted to give goalkeeper Tom Turner a run out with the reserves as he's been injured. He'll come with us on Tuesday and then Alex Townsend with us on Saturday with Tom having a couple of games with the reserves. We don't want to end up in a situation like we had at Brigg when their keeper got sent off and they had no cover on the bench. Now we have three keepers we can rotate them a little bit to keep everyone interested in the squad.
"Ross Atkins is a very, very good keeper. The first two or three games he's played for us he's not had a lot to do. In one game he said all he's had to do is kick it tonight and play it out from the back. I haven't contributed to the team. There are games when we are going to rely on him a little bit. His organising is excellent, his voice is excellent. He knows when to slow the game down a little bit and I can only remember one save in particular. It's not just about saves but commanding your area, coming for crosses and helping your defence out."
