Match Report  |  Gresley FC vs Chasetown

Gresley got their first win and scored their first goals of the season at the Moat Ground as they responded to their dismal showing on Saturday.

The first half against Chasetown saw a very much improved performance with Chris Richards giving the Moatmen the lead. However, the second half saw Gresley sit back too deep inviting Chasetown onto them which they did dominating large periods of the game with some good inter-passing and finally getting on terms albeit through an own goal from the unlucky Jamie Barrett.

The points were claimed by an Alex Steadman coolly finished goal with just four minutes remaining and Gresley could at last celebrate a win in front of their own supporters.

Dave Langston came in to manage the side on a temporary basis at short notice after the shock resignation of Wayne Thornhill the evening before and along with Jamie Barrett they set about choosing the side.

There were changes with keeper Liam Roberts returning after serving his one match ban on Saturday. Martin Smyth came in to midfield and Lavell White was given a start the first since joining the club. Lucas Harrison took the left back slot with John Guy moving in to partner Barrett at the heart of the defence.

The game started brightly with Gresley taking the game to the visitors chasing every ball down and winning the second ball. A free kick from the right saw Barrett head wide followed by a fine driving run into the area by Smyth where he appeared to be pushed over from behind but referee Mr Jones waved play on.

Gresley scored their first league goal of the campaign taking the lead on 28 minutes. Jordan Ball made a good run down the left and sent the ball across the area to Richards who side footed the ball past visiting keeper John Bateman and into the far bottom corner.

Two minutes later Gresley were inches away from doubling their advantage. This time it was Richards who was the provider when he sent a low ball across the face of goal which the inrushing Ball was just inches away from poking home at the far post.

White did well to make his way into the area but his shot went wide as Gresley threatened to add to their tally.

A rare chance for the Scholars came with five minutes of the first half remaining. A superbly struck free kick from just outside the area by Paul Sullivan brought an equally superb save from Roberts, who diving to his left, managed to push the ball away from the top corner.

As much as Gresley had dominated the first half it was the visitors who did likewise in the second half with some good passing but with very little end result.

Two substitutions for Chasetown had an impact on the game. Ryan Wynter, who replaced the lively Stan Mugisha and Nicholas Turton replacing Nathan Waite started to cause Gresley problems who didn't help their cause by sitting too far back.

Turton cleverly dummied a cross from the left leaving Jonathan Gould the space to fire of a stinging shot which whistled the wrong side of the near post. Gould followed this up with another attempt but this time he blasted his shot well off target.

Turton's header from fellow substitute Wynter went wide before a quick break almost saw the visitors level but for Roberts. Turton raced through the middle and into the area with only the Gresley keeper to beat, but Roberts raced off his line and made another superb save blocking the final shot with his legs.

Minutes later however, Chasetown were back on terms. Gresley had been pushed back into their own area and a cross from the right by Reece Thompson could only be helped into the net by the unlucky Barrett.

On the balance of play in the second half it was no more than the visitors deserved. Indeed, they may have taken the lead a couple of minutes later but another top drawer save at his near post by Roberts denied Michael Williams from getting onto the score sheet. The resultant corner needed the intervention of Harrison heading Francis Francino's header off the line to keep the scores level.

A rare venture into the Chasetown half paid dividends. Steadman had the chance to help his side regain the lead when he raced into the area only to be denied by a well timed tackle. However, the Gresley front man wasn't to squander his next opportunity a minute later.

Collecting the ball on the left Steadman turned the defender and cut in before firing a low shot under the diving Bateman and into the far corner.

Man-of- match Roberts was in action again in time added on making another good save to deny Turton but Gresley could have had the final say when substitute Richard Bailey made his way down the right firing a shot which flew across the face of Bateman's goal but also the wrong side of the far post.