Match Report  |  Gresley FC vs Long Eaton United

As Gresley's keeper Alex Townsend saved Jermaine Hollis's penalty kick to send his team through to the semi-finals of the Derbyshire Senior Cup, the visibility was decreasing and the Moat Ground pitch covered in snow as a blizzard hit Church Gresley.

The game had finished three goals apiece after former Moatman Brad Wells scored with only seconds remaining of extra time meaning the game would have to be decided by spot kicks which Gresley won 6-5.

Gresley manager Wayne Thornhill made changes to his starting eleven with both Jack Langston and Jake Carlisle returning after serving their one game bans. Chris Richards replaced Lucas Harrison who took his place on the bench. Kieran O'Connell was absent serving the third match of his four game ban.

Alex Steadman almost gave his side the perfect start with hardly twenty five seconds on the clock when he ran onto a through ball from Eric Graves. He raced forward and slipped the ball under visiting keeper Josh O'Brien and looked certain to have opened the scoring only for the ball to curl and come off the base of the post and out before being cleared.

A corner from the right curled in by Langston clipped the far post and then Russ Peel was denied twice by good blocks from O'Brien all within the first ten minutes of the game. Gresley could have been four goals clear as they dominated the first period of the game.

United had their first attempt on goal when Jermain Palmer struck a shot which brought out a good block at his near post by Townsend.

Two more chances came for Gresley as it looked odds on that they would score very soon. Martin Smyth tried to chip the keeper, who was well off his line, but his attempt was not quite high enough and O'Brien managed grab the ball. Steadman then slipped the ball inside for Ryan King but the young striker's low shot was held by the keeper.

United's second attempt of the game produced a goal and what a goal it was. Well's laid the ball back to Jermaine Palmer who struck a superb shot which gave Townsend no chance as the ball arrowed past him and into the far corner of the net.

Despite having the lion's share of possession and chances up until then Gresley found themselves behind when they could or should have been two or three goals to the good. Steadman had another chance but after making a good run down the left his final shot was saved by O'Brien.

Gresley could have found themselves two goals adrift when an unfortunate slip by Carlisle let TJ Nightingale race towards goal but Townsend reacted quickly to race out and smother the ball.

The homeside drew level on 25 minutes. Smyth had made his way into the area and was hacked down by Michael Armstrong giving referee Nick Hopton now alternative but to point to the spot. Steadman took the kick sending O'Brien the wrong way.

There was a considerable delay with seven minutes of the half remaining as Gresley midfielder Graves received treatment for a nasty head injury but with his head bandaged aka Terry Butcher he bravely continued to play on.

Gresley were within an inch or so of taking a lead into the halftime break. Steadman found King but his shot flashed the wrong side of the far post.

Both sides made changes at the break with Liam Guest replacing the injured Carlisle for Gresley and Gerome Palmer replacing Adam Burton for the visitors.

Gresley continued to press but were finding their opponents difficult to break down. United could feel themselves very fortunate when O'Brien appeared to roll the ball back into the area with his hands. On 68 minutes Langston brought out a fine save from O'Brien diving to his left to turn a well struck free kick away for a corner kick. From the resulting flag kick Guest planted a header just wide of the post.

United substitute Theo Smith had a glorious chance to put his side back in the lead but managed to side foot Hollis's cross from the left over the bar when well placed.

Langston went close hitting a shot which was blocked at his near post by O'Brien and then Gresley had a very good shout for another penalty when Rob Mulonga, who had replaced the hospital bound Graves, was clearly tripped by Armstrong in the area but the referee waved away the appeals.

Within seven minutes of the first period of extra time United were in front again. A deep cross from the left saw Townsend off his line and in no-man's land, substitute Tom Cooper Richards beat the keeper to the ball heading over the stranded Townsend and into the empty net.

It was no more than the visitors deserved as they were having their best spell of the game applying constant pressure on the Gresley defence.

Gresley hit back with King getting the better of three defenders but fires his shot just over the bar.

However, the Moatmen were level again when Mulonga made a fine run into the area down the right before slipping the ball back to Smyth who duly slotted the ball home.

Two minutes later Gresley were in front for the first time in the match. Steadman was brought down in the area with the referee once more having no alternative but to once more point to the spot. Steadman took the kick himself and sent O'Brien the wrong way.

It looked as if Gresley had held on until Well's popped up with the equaliser. The final seconds of the period of extra were about to tick away when a high ball into the area was headed backwards by Guest only as far as Well's who headed home at the post.

With the snow storm getting heavier the spot kicks began. Langston and Harrison were successful for Gresley and Armstrong and Nightingale for United. Steadman who had beaten O'Brien twice in the game from the spot this time had his kick saved.

Aaron Cole put United ahead. Smyth scored but Smith kept the visitors in front. Richards kept the pressure up and Wells kick was saved by Townsend to bring the game back to all square. Hayden Johns scored for Gresley and Ross Parker for United. Next up for Gresley was King who coolly converted his kick leaving United's skipper Hollis to try and level things up but Townsend made the save sending Gresley through to the semi-finals.