Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
The Novus Stadium, Kidsgrove
Saturday, 26th September 2015, 3.00pm
Athletic Run Gresley Down
Anyone who attended this afternoon's game could not argue with the result as Kidsgrove deserved to take all three points despite being reduced to ten men for the final eight minutes or so.
Gresley's performances are a roller-coaster so far this season and this one was certainly one of the dips as they were dominated by a very strong Kidsgrove side who have made some very good signings and it showed.
With caretaker manager Dave Langston taken to Barcelona for the weekend by his son Jack for a pre-arranged break it meant Mark Kavanagh took charge along with Jamie Barrett. There was one change with Sam Wood taking the place of Jack Langston but the bench was down to just three players making options very limited.
Gresley received a let off very early in the game when a cross from the right found Jack Sherratt who hammered his first time shot against the outside of the near post. Keeper Liam Roberts then had to come to his side's rescue making a good save tipping over Nick Wellecome's powerful header from the centre of the area. Wellecome was denied again this time by Roberts pushing a shot from distance away.
On 38 minutes somehow Gresley snatched the lead. A very good move down the right ended with Martin Smyth low cross being rammed into the net at the near post by Alex Steadman.
It took Kidsgrove just eight minutes of the second half to draw level. There appeared to be a foul in the build up but referee Stuart Eagland ignored the appeal and allowed the play to continue and as Jordan Johnson caught the defence napping Roberts came swiftly off his line and dived for the loose ball and Johnson theatrically fell over and the referee pointed to the spot for a very soft penalty. After some treatment to both players Anthony Malbon sent the keeper the wrong way to even thing up. Gresley tried to hit back with John Guy heading Wood's free kick narrowly past the far post.
Kidsgrove took the lead three minutes after levelling things and it was a good goal. Johnson managed to spring the offside trap and raced down the left and seeing Roberts off his line coolly lobbed the ball over the keeper and into the net.
Johnson went close again moments later heading Wellecome's cross wide.
On 67 minutes the home side went further in front. Lucas Harrison was caught out near his own by-line and Joe Woolley took advantage and sent a ball into the area where Wellecome hit a scissor volley into the back of Roberts' net.
The home side were reduced to ten men with eight minutes of the game remaining when Lewis Bergin made an atrocious tackle going in two-footed on Harrison who was very fortunate not to have received a serious injury. The referee was not impressed and showed a straight red card which the foul thoroughly deserved.
Despite the reduction in players Kidsgrove defended well and closed the game out.
