Match Report  |  Gresley FC vs Monmouth Town

Gresley manager Wayne Thornhill included three new faces into his squad for the Moatmen's final pre-season friendly.

Derrick Otim, Jordan Ball and Joe Brothwell were all given a start by Thornhill and all three made an impact scoring three of Gresley's four goals.

This performance was arguably the best since the Mickleover game with the home side looking sharp and determined.

The game kicked off three quarters of an hour late due to the visitors Monmouth Town having travel problems on their journey to the Moat Ground.

Gresley started brightly with one of the new players Ball firing a shot which was deflected wide for a corner. A second corner was conceded and from which Gresley eventually took the lead.

Town failed to clear the flag kick and the ball came to another new player Joe Brothwell on the left who hit the sweetest of shots which rocketed into the top corner giving visiting keeper Kieron Blackburn no chance as he was rooted to the spot.

Town began to find their feet after a slow start with Jack Alderdice firing wide just after the half hour mark.

Some good interplay from the newcomers saw Brothwell slip the ball to Otim who in turn pushed the ball through to Martin Smyth who fired a shot the wrong side of the near post.

The first half ended with Jamie Barrett heading Jack Langston's corner kick from the right over the bar.

Gresley were two goals up within ten minutes of the second half starting. Otim made a good run down the left and jinxed himself into the area before flashing his shot past Blackburn and into the far bottom corner.

Langston went close putting his shot wide of the near post. However, minutes later Gresley increased their advantage when Smyth had his shot parried by Blackburn but Ball running in at the far post tapped the ball home.

Whether Gresley relaxed after taking such a comfortable lead is difficult to tell but they conceded to sloppy goals to allow the visitors a glimmer of hope of grabbing an unlikely draw.

Town's first goal came when Dan MacDonald was allowed to scramble his way into the area before firing his shot past Gresley keeper Adam Binks. The second goal just a couple of minutes later was a gift. Ashley Ford fired a shot towards goal which Binks looked to have covered only for his team mate substitute Chris Richards to inexplicably stab the ball past him into the net.

Gresley increased their lead with eight minutes of the match remaining when substitute Ryan King made a fine run down the left before turning his marker and firing his shot into the bottom corner.

The visitors went close to reducing the deficit late on when MacDonald had his stinging shot turned over the bar by Binks.