Match Report  |  Gresley FC vs Newcastle Town

Gresley's stuttering start to the new campaign continued with a second consecutive defeat at the Moat Ground. Despite making several chances the home side could not get the break through against a well organised Newcastle Town side.

Liam Roberts' trip on the well travelled Michael Lennon gave Town the chance to take a first half lead from the spot and with Gresley pushing hard in the second half a late strike from Tom France sent the disappointed Moat Ground faithful home without witnessing a point or a goal once more on their own turf.

Manager Wayne Thornhill made changes to his side which had got their first three points with new signing Joe Brothwell making his debut replacing Chris Richards. John Guy returned to the heart of the defence with Kallum Keane not recovered from his back problem he picked up at Goole.

Both Sam Wood and Martin Smyth where still unavailable but Richard Bailey, who had also missed the long trip to Yorkshire, was given a slot on the bench.

Gresley started brightly with James Jepson having his shot headed off the line at the far post with just 9 minutes on the clock.

Both sides were sizing each other up and for the next 10 minutes neither side was able to make the breakthrough. That was until the 20th minute, however. Gresley were caught napping when a ball over the backline saw Lennon run into the area were the unfortunate Roberts was adjudged to have brought the lively front runner down giving referee Mr Garrett no option but to point to the spot. Roberts received a yellow card for his misdemeanour and was then sent the wrong way by last season's league top scorer Jordan Cole.

It was a little harsh on the Moatmen to be a goal behind but they did hit back going close to levelling when Jordan Ball hit his shot on the turn just past the far post.

Gresley went close again early in the second half with two good chances going begging. Alex Steadman then made a good break down the right and picked out Jepson over on the left with a fine pass. The midfielder hit his shot but again the wrong side of the upright.

Jack Langston was next to go close for Gresley when he struck Brothwell's pass goalwards but visiting keeper Daniel Read made a good block to deny him. Langston then tried his luck again two minutes later but his low shot was held by Read.

Jepson then went close with a shot under the bar that the keeper seemed to fumble and somehow put it over the bar.

Town had a chance to double their lead on 66 minutes when Jamie Barrett tripped Lennon in the area. Cole once again chose to take the kick but this time Roberts redeemed his earlier mistake by diving to his right to keep out the penalty kick.

Could Gresley take advantage of the missed chance by the visitors as they were handed a lifeline to get back into the game? Well, they went close. Awarded a free kick over on the right Jepson whipped in a shot which flew through a ruck of players but agonisingly wide of the far post without one of his team mates getting that vital touch.

Gresley continued to hand Town the opportunity to wrap the game up when a poor miss kick by Roberts was put back into danger area where France collected the ball a couple of yards or so out but Roberts recovered well to make an outstanding block to once more redeem himself and keep his side in the game.

With time running out Gresley committed themselves up field trying to get at least a share of the points but they were caught out again. The ball was given away in midfield and a quick break down the right was not helped when Guy slipped as he tried to clear the ball. The ball was then played to France who, despite the attention of Lucas Harrison, was able to slip the ball past Roberts to a deadly silent Moat Ground and wrap up all three points for the visitors.

The score was a little flattering for the visitors but Gresley need to be more ruthless in the final third if they want to take some of the chances they are creating. Saturday would be the perfect occasion to get the first win at the Moat Ground this season in a competitive game.