Match Report  |  Gresley FC vs Mickleover Sports

Gresley welcomed the champions Mickleover Sports to the Moat Ground in this pre-season friendly. The last time they met, which was on New Year's Day, Sports proved far too strong for the Moatmen and ran out easy winners. On this occasion it was the home side who got the win in a competitive game.

Sports started strongly forcing two corners but a long ball down the left set up a quick break which Gresley capitalised on. Ryan King was sent speeding forward and with Sports keeper Ross Atkins also racing towards the ball it was a matter of who would get there first and it was the young striker who then coolly got around the keeper before slipping the ball into the empty net.

Gresley could have added another couple to their tally soon afterwards. Martin Smyth hit a tremendous shot which fizzed just past the upright and then King tried a chip that beat Atkins but flew wide.

Sports were awarded more corners which came to nothing before a low shot from Andy Dales found the target but Gresley keeper Adam Binks managed to hold onto the ball.

The equaliser came with only four minutes of the first half remaining and it had a large slice of luck about it. Chris Palmer swung over a cross from the left which took a wicked deflection off a Gresley defender that took the ball over the head of the stranded Binks and into the far corner of the net.

The Moatmen were back in front within five minutes of the re-start when Alex Steadman was sent down the left and cutting in slotted the ball past the keeper.

Former Burton Albion player John McGrath then had a chance to get his side back on terms but his shot went wide.

Gresley then had a chance to extend their lead themselves when substitute Russ Peel's shot rebounded off a defender to Jack Langston but his shot ballooned over the bar.

McGrath had another half chance but again his aim was well off as the ball sailed well over the bar. Arguably Sports best chance to level things came when substitute Jake Bennett's low cross from the left was somehow fired wide at the far post by fellow substitute Jacob Hazel who was a yard out.

Steadman went close with a chip which hit the side netting but it was Sports who had the final chance. A corner from the left saw a powerful header come in which Steadman, at the near post, headed off the line.