Derbyshire Senior Cup Semi-Final
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Tuesday, 10th February 2015, 7.45pm
Last Gasp Gresley Reach Final
A penalty scored by Alex Steadman saw the Moatmen through to the Derbyshire Senior Cup Final. Their opponents Ilkeston FC of the Evo-Stik Premier Division had been unbeaten in the competition since December 2012.
Ilkeston, who are one of the favourites to gain promotion from their division, sent a strong side to the Moat Ground looking to extend their grip on the cup but they were undone by their Division One South neighbours.
Gresley manager Wayne Thornhill made just two changes to his side with Mitch Hanson replacing Jake Carlisle who was not allowed to play against his parent club and Chris Richards coming in for Eric Graves who is in the USA on a work trip.
The Moatmen got off to a flying start taking the lead with barely two minutes on the clock. Kieran O'Connell made a run down the left and put a cross into the box for Richards, racing in at the near post, to stab into the net for his first goal for the club.
Ilkeston soon levelled the scores just nine minutes later from a good move. Eddie Samba collected the ball around 25 yards out and with the Gresley defenders backing off fired a low shot into the bottom corner.
Gresley went close to regaining the lead with Jack Langston picking out Luke Edwards whose shot flew into the side netting at the near post. It was then Jamie Barrett's turn to go close planting his header from Langston's corner wide of the far post.
At the other end The Robins had two chances. The first when Samba's header was deflected for a corner and then an attempted clearance hit the back of a Gresley defender and the ball fell nicely to Samba who had a clear run in on goal but the home keeper Liam Roberts was quick to spot the danger and raced off his line to dive at the feet of Samba and grab the ball.
More good work down the left from O'Connell carved out another chance for the Moatmen but Richards running in at the near post could only plant his shot wide.
Gresley were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty. Again, O'Connell was causing mayhem in the Ilkeston area only to be tackled somewhat unfairly from behind but referee Mr Walker waved away the appeals.
The Moatmen ended the half with another chance when a free kick from the right by Langston found Barrett at the far post but his header went wide.
Ilkeston started the second half forcing two corners but the terror of the Ilkeston defence, O'Connell began to cause them problems again and the visiting defenders were reduced to fouling the forward. From one of those fouls Lucas Harrison swung over his free kick only to see the ball bounce off the top of the bar.
Gresley did have the ball in the net but Steadman's effort was chalked off by the upraised flag of the assistant referee.
The home side were have the better of the play and continued to carve out chances. Another free kick from Langston landed at the feet of Edwards inside the area but the forward sliced his shot wide.
Edwards featured in the next chance. After making a run down the right he cut in and fired a low shot which keeper Jordan Smith held at his near post.
Gresley went close again when Steadman made a run down the left and hit a shot which beat Smith only to be cleared off the line.
Just as it seemed that the tie was going to another 30 minutes Gresley got the winner. Three minutes into time added on Martin Smyth was bundled to the floor by a defender and Mr Walker didn't hesitate in pointing to the spot. Steadman took the kick sending Smith the wrong way and claiming Gresley's place in the final where they await the winners of the Glossop North End, Matlock Town tie.
