Evo-Stik Division One South Play-Off Semi-Final
Harrison Park, Leek
Wednesday, 29th April 2015, 7.45pm
Promotion Hopes Dashed
Well it just didn't go Gresley's way in this play-off semi-final although the team played well despite having played three games in five games. They were also hampered by the loss of two of their influential players when both Kieran O'Connell (Groin) and Mitch Hanson (foot) had to be replaced within the first twenty-five minutes.
To Gresley's great credit they battled hard and especially in the second half were the better side. They created some decent chances to have at least taken the game to extra time but it wasn't to be and it will be Leek who face Sutton Coldfield Town in the final on Saturday.
Gresley manager Wayne Thornhill had a strong squad to choose from with only John Guy an absentee through injury. Hanson returned to the starting eleven after missing the last two games and Karl Ashton was also included having been cup-tied for the Derbyshire Cup.
The visitors were extremely unlucky to go behind as early as they did. On 7 minutes Hanson was very harshly adjudged to have committed a foul on the edge of the area when it looked as if Tim Grice had lost his footing on the very bobbly surface. However, the resulting free kick was superbly dispatched by Jordan Johnson who curled the ball into the top right corner giving Gresley keeper Jake Want no chance.
Ashton then had the first of his chances when, after getting into the area, could only curl his effort wide of the far post.
On 22 minutes the first of the two casualties hobbled off as O'Connell was replaced by Chris Richards. Then, adding to Gresley's misery, Hanson who had tried to carry on after a recurrence of his foot injury on 18 minutes also had to be replaced 7 minutes later by Sam Grice.
On the hour mark Johnson went close to doubling his tally firing a shot wide of the near post. The action swung to the other end with another chance for Ashton who blazed his shot over the bar from the edge of the area.
Gresley were building their attacks well but the end result was lacking with both Eric Graves and Jack Langston failing to test Leek keeper James Martin with weak shots.
The second half saw the homeside playing deep to preserve their slender lead and Gresley began to push them back even further.
However, Leek were denied what looked like a clear penalty when Jamie Barrett appeared to pull back Tim Grice who had managed to slip by Matt Roome and Barrett in the area. Amazingly referee Mr Strain waved away the protests, one of many decisions which baffled both sides.
Graves had an early chance when his header from Martin Smyth's cross flew the wrong side of the near post.
Gresley keeper Jake Want, who had made his debut on Monday in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, made a breathtaking save to deny Tim Grice. Dan Shelly curled in a free kick which Tim Grice met with a superb header and it looked to heading into the net but Want, diving to his left, turned the ball around the far post for a corner.
It was now Gresley's turn to be on the end of a poor refereeing decision. Ashton raced into the area beating Ashley Jackson only for the defender to clip the striker but once again the referee waved away the protest.
These poor decisions were frustrating both sides and when the referee missed a blatant hand ball by a Leek player seen by nearly everyone in the ground and then penalised a Gresley player instead skipper Jamie Barrett protested strongly earning himself a yellow card.
With ten minutes remaining Thornhill made his final change taking off Sam Grice to be replaced by Luke Edwards in an attempt to force extra time and it almost paid off.
Leek were being pressed back as Gresley went looking for the goal their efforts fully deserved. The visitors reverted to three at the back with Barrett being pushed forward and they went agonisingly close to achieving their aim when Alex Steadman made his way to the left byline and then clipped a ball into the box but once more Ashton in a great position could only head wide. Another good chance gone begging.
With time almost up Gresley had one more chance to take the game into a further 30 minutes but Langston's shot from 20 yards flew an inch or two wide.
Gresley may have seen their promotion dream dashed at Harrison Park but every single player can be proud of the effort they have put in this season playing football which gladdened the heart and a pleasure to watch which is credit to Wayne and his management colleagues.
At the beginning of the season if anyone would have suggested Gresley would finish fifth, claim a play-off place and reach the final of the County Cup most if not all of the supporters would have been satisfied with that.
It's been a good season and here's to the next one.
