Evo-Stik Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Tuesday, 3rd March 2015, 7.45pm
Tulips Fail To Bloom At The Moat
Gresley dug deep to get a vital win over play-off rivals Spalding United although the margin could have been larger except for a missed penalty and being denied by a post.
It was a tough, close game which was expected as both sides are stringing some good results out at the business end of the season.
This game was re-arranged after the previous encounter at the Moat Ground was thwarted by the match referee who deemed the pitch not playable although both sides, management and officials were all willing for the game to go ahead. The postponement meant that tonight's visitors had to make the long journey in midweek which was not ideal although Gresley had to make the journey to Spalding also in midweek and that game too was a close affair which the hosts managed to snatch all the points with a late winner.
Gresley manager Wayne Thornhill had to make changes with defenders Mitch Hanson (foot) and Jake Carlisle (knee) not recovered from their injuries but he did have fellow defender John Guy who made his first start since suffering a knee injury back in September against Brigg Town at the Moat.
The game was a close affair in the opening minutes with both sides sizing each other up. It was the home side who had the first chance from a set piece. A free kick from the left by Jack Langston was met by Guy at the far post but his header went wide.
It was then the turn of the Tulips to go close but the lob from Tom Waumsley landed on the top of Gresley's net.
Gresley went close again and was denied by a fine diving save from keeper Alex Pycock who pushed Langston's free kick away for a corner.
The Moatmen took the lead on 22 minutes. Langston's corner from the left came back to him and he hit a curling shot which beat Pycock but came back off the far post and Jamie Barrett reacting quickest rammed the ball into the net.
Gresley were unlucky not to have had the chance to double their advantage on the half hour mark when Kieran O'Connell had his legs swept from beneath him as he cut into the area but referee Mr Smart waved away the appeals.
Within four minutes of the start of the second half Gresley were denied by the width of a post when Luke Edwards managed to poke Alex Steadman's cross goalwards only to see it bounce back off the upright.
Gresley's Martin Smyth's free kick from 25 yards needed two attempts before Pycock could grab the ball safely into his arms.
Despite some good build up play from the visitors they had failed to really test Gresley's keeper Liam Roberts so far in the second half but on 71 minutes Waumsley curled a low shot from the left which was on target. However, Roberts, diving to his left, pushed the ball away for a corner.
On 83 minutes Tulips manager Pat Rayment was asked by the referee to sit down in the dugout after complaining about a decision but he continued to argue his point and Mr Smart duly sent him off.
Gresley had a glorious opportunity to double their advantage in time added on. Steadman made a good run into the area only to be hacked down by Adam Jackson giving the referee no alternative but to point to the spot. Steadman, who had been successful with his previous penalty kicks, chose to take this one but although he sent Pycock the wrong way he put his spot kick the wrong side of the right post.
