Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
Victoria Pleasure Grounds, Goole
Saturday, 22nd August 2015, 3.00pm
Vikings Put To The Sword
Gresley made the long trip to the East Riding of Yorkshire well worth the visit as they returned home with their first three points of the new campaign.
Two second half strikes from Sam Grice and Jack Langston erased the still stinging memory of their last visit to the Victoria Pleasure Grounds when they somehow grabbed defeat out of the jaws of victory losing 4-2 after being two-nil up for over an hour.
This time however, despite a spirited display by the home side, Gresley comfortably held out for their first league win.
Visiting manager Wayne Thornhill had to reshuffle his side with five players missing from his squad. John Guy hadn't recovered from his injury in time, Sam Wood was away on a business, Richard Bailey at a wedding, Martin Smyth on holiday and Ryan King out for 4-6 weeks after a jaw operation.
There was a familiar face who joined in the week. Former Moatman James Jepson re-signed for the club from Stamford and was immediately put into midfield. Unfortunately, another expected new face Joe Brothwell was unable to play due to his registration with the FA not being completed in time. Hopefully, things should be completed for the visit of Newcastle Town on Tuesday evening.
Gresley started brightly and had the first chance on 15 minutes. Chris Richards picked out Alex Steadman but his shot was blocked by the legs of home keeper Ryan Musslewhite.
The first chance came for Goole sixty seconds later when Jamie Barrett's header only found Bobby Johnson who volleyed his effort just over the bar. At the other end Lucas Harrison then warmed the palms of Musslewhite with a low shot which was well held.
Gresley keeper Liam Roberts almost handed Goole the lead on the half-hour mark. His poor clearance went straight to Jamie Coulson who vollyed the ball back over the helpless Roberts onlt to see the ball bounce off the top of the bar.
Roberts soon made up for that slip making a tremendous save at the base of the near post as the tall defender Sam Colbear's header from David Taylor's free kick looked certain to end up in the net.
The visiting keeper had to be alert early in the second half making a good save to deny Derry Robson. Goole continued to press and another good header from Taylor's corner needed to be cleared off the line by the alert Sam Grice at the far post.
Yet another good header from the Viking's striker once more brought out a superb save from Roberts. Gresley broke quickly and Langston had his shot blocked at the near post by Robert's counterpart.
Gresley had their backs to the wall and another chance appeared when Alex Varley somehow got on the end of a free kick but could only blaze his shot high over the bar from close in.
The visitors took the lead with a fast attacking move with the ball ending up with Jordan Ball who jinxed one way and then the other shrugging off his markers before unleashing a vicious shot which Musslewhite could only parry but Grice was quick to react to ram the ball into the net.
As was expected the home side didn't hand Gresley the game and pressed forward looking to equalise with Taylor forcing another good save out of Roberts.
However, deep into time added on Gresley put the game out of the reach of their hosts by doubling their advantage. Richards had made his way down the left and slipped the ball to Langford who turned on the edge of the area before smashing his unstoppable shot into the top corner of the net to complete what was a well earned and deserved three points.
