Evo-Stik Division One South
Harrison Park, Leek
Wednesday, 15th April 2015, 7.45pm
Gresley Unlucky At Leek
Gresley can consider themselves very unlucky not to have come away from Harrison Park with at least a share of the points because after a shaky first ten minutes they then went on to dominate large periods the game and had two very good shouts for penalties if not three turned down by the referee Simon Mather.
The visitors created numerous chances but could not convert any of them but Leek managed to grab the only goal although a very fortuitous one.
Gresley were without defenders Mitch Hanson (unavailable), Jamie Barrett (knee) and midfielder Jack Langston (holiday) meaning Martin Smyth took the right back slot with Matt Roome moving in to the centre of defence alongside John Guy and Sam Grice coming into midfield.
The visitors had their first penalty turned down inside 2 minutes when a good passing move between Kieran O'Connell and Karl Ashton ended with Ashton being felled in the area but referee waved away the appeals and not for the only time in the game.
The Moatmen were left to rue that decision because a minute later they were behind. Leek were awarded a free kick which was sent into the box where a defender seemed to knock the ball back towards his own goal surprising keeper Liam Roberts a little who could only push the ball to Tim Grice who took the offer to ram the ball into the net.
Gresley began to settle at last putting Leek under some pressure but neither side created any clear cut chances. Leek flashed a long-range shot wide and after a good run down the right by Sam Grice, Eric Graves running into the area could only steer the cross over the bar.
Leek began the second half as they had the first with Tim Grice firing over at the near post. The second good penalty appeal came for Gresley when O'Connell's shot seemed to be handled by a defender but again the referee then waved away the protests. Tyler Williams then tried to lob Roberts who tipped the ball over for a corner.
Again Gresley weathered the storm with Leek resorting to the long high ball.
Lucas Harrison's corner from the left found Graves at the back post and he headed the ball back into the middle to Smyth who was ready to unleash a volley only to have the ball taken off his toe.
On 65 minutes there was a moment of controversy. Awarded a corner from the right Gresley's Harrison swung the ball into the box and referee Mr Mather blew his whistle as he seen Darren Chadwick with his arms around Ashton. Everyone expected the referee to point to the spot but amazingly he motioned both players to him gave them both a stern talking to and then indicated that the corner should be re-taken. The decision both baffled and angered the players and supporters alike. From the retaken corner Sam Grice headed over.
A free kick from Smyth was headed wide by Ashton as Gresley were still pressing looking for that elusive goal their play deserved.
The best chance of the second half for the hosts fell to Jordan Johnson who found himself in space on the right. Receiving the long pass he ran forward but Roberts came out and spread himself making a superb block.
Gresley went close at the end of the match but Ashton could only head Alex Steadman's cross over the bar.
