Evo-Stik Division One South
Coles Lane, Sutton Coldfield
Tuesday, 4th November 2014, 7.45pm
The Royals Go Top
For eighty minutes Gresley kept Sutton Coldfield at bay although under pressure but a good headed goal and a bizarre decision gave the home side the win which took them top of the league.
Sutton play on an artificial surface but you wouldn't have guessed it as the supporters were treated to 'kick it high and long' football with the ball rarely being passed on the floor which does not produce an entertaining game to watch.
Gresley manager Wayne Thornhill made a change to his starting line-up with young striker Ryan King taking the striker's role.
The visitors went close to opening the scoring when Martin Smyth charged down a clearance but fired his shot wide of the near post.
Gresley keeper Ross Atkins was soon called upon to make a very good block to deny Jamie Sheldon who was in on goal. He then followed that up with another top save to deny Sheldon again pushing his shot away for a corner.
The football became very difficult to watch at times with the ball spending more time thirty feet above the pitch rather than on it.
Gresley were finding it very hard to break the home defence down and it was easy to see why they have one of the meanest back lines in the league conceding just ten goals in sixteen league games.
The second half was much the same as the first. Kieran O'Connell had a rare chance for Gresley but his run down the right ended with his shot hitting the side netting. Gresley only managed one more effort on goal and that was right at the end of the game and they failed to get a shot on target in the whole ninety minutes or so.
Former Gresley man Jordan Nadat, who had been largely anonymous throughout the game, went close when he hooked an effort wide of the far post.
The Royals took the lead with just over ten minutes remaining. Gresley substitute Rob Mulonga was given the slip down the right and the resultant deep cross was headed home at the far post by Royal's substitute Craig Marshall with his first touch since coming onto the pitch.
Their second goal was yet another bewildering decision from referee Robbie Dadley. Gresley defender Mitch Hanson had clearly been fouled but the decision went to the home side just outside of the area despite fierce protestations from the visitors. Nadat hit the ball through the parting wall and into the net producing well over the top celebrations.
Gresley were awarded a throw-in deep in their own area and Lucas Harrison tried to take it quickly only for Marshall to block him. Stupidly the Gresley defender kicked out in frustration giving the referee the opportunity to show a straight red card with Marshall receiving a yellow.
The visitors could have chalked one goal off but Eric Grave's cross from the left was headed wide by Alex Steadman.
Manager's View
"We had a discussion on how we should play tonight and we set up in a very certain manner and kept it tight.
"We limited them to few chances although they did have possession of the ball but we kept our shape very well and we organised. We didn't create much in the first half as the plan was to keep it tight and then to change the game with about twenty-twenty five minutes to go when we'd tweak the formation and go for it.
"They ended up nicking a goal when someone got caught out of position and they got a cross in and unfortunately they had someone at the far post who had an header and it was difficult to get back in the game after that.
"Our players protested to the free kick which led to their second goal. It was a clear push on Mitch Hanson. The referee actually said to the players that it was a push but wasn't a foul! I don't know quite how that works but he gave a free kick on the edge of the area and they took the opportunity which put the game to bed unfortunately.
"I think some of the bookings were very harsh. I don't remember a bad tackle during the game whatsoever. There were a few late ones but they were going to the ball and I can accept that but we've ended up with four maybe five bookings that I felt were warranted.
"I've had a word with the players. I was disappointed with the attitude in the last five or ten minutes because we let ourselves down. That's not how my teams are. We keep the right manner. I was extremely disappointed in Lucas Harrison. I will be having a chat with him about his conduct. We've now got to move on to a very important game for us on Saturday.
"We gave Ryan King his full debut tonight. He's been very patient and he's worked very hard for his chance. He was part of the strategy and he was excellent. His work rate is fantastic for such a young lad. He came into the game a bit more in the second half and was making some excellent runs. He was starting to tire a little bit.
"We wanted to tweak the formation with him in it and then to freshen up the side as Sutton began to tire but it went against us.
"I'm not one hundred percent that Luke Edwards will be fit for Saturday. I spoke to him before the game and last night and I had to make a decision. He's been out running and wanted to try it tonight but I think if he wants to try it he's not ready. I explained to him that I want him for every single game so if it resulted in him missing one game he's not missing five or six games because he's been very beneficial since he came to us.
"Luke has taken that on board and had some more treatment tonight and he'll have some more on Thursday. We'll also try to get him involved in training on Thursday and we'll see how it goes.
"Sutton are a very good side. They play on a 3G pitch which is a good surface for playing the ball around if you want to. However, we came with a game plan and I knew that if we could remain tight for as long as we could we could create chances.
"We kept it tight for seventy five minutes and limited their chances and we were pretty comfortable. We then made a decision to change things with the possibility of us going forward and creating some chances and try and nick the game. However, one little lapse in concentration allowed the ball in our box. It was a good header to be fair. We could possibly have done more to prevent it. We were then up against it after the first goal."
