Match Report  |  Loughborough Dynamo vs Gresley FC

This was not the game for the purist as it was played out between two sides who are struggling for form nevertheless it was entertaining one despite the rain and the blustery wind which didn't help either side.

Gresley were two goals to the good by the break taking advantage of their two chances. They increased their lead courtesy of an own goal before Loughborough got their consolation goal at the end of the game.

Manager Scott Goodwin had to make a change to his Gresley side with defender John Guy suspended for collecting five yellow cards but he had Gary Ricketts back in the line-up after the striker had recovered from a cut eye.

Richard Bailey had not recovered from a groin injury and Ryan King was unavailable.

Gresley had the wind blowing into their faces for the first half but coped well and started on the front foot forcing the home side back and their pressure paid dividends on 10 minutes when they took the lead.

Awarded a free kick, Jack Langston swung in the perfect ball for Ricketts who rose to powerfully to head past Jamie McAlindon from the centre of the area.

Loughborough began to have most of the possession but could not take advantage with their passing not being able to penetrate the Gresley back line.

However, the hosts did have one decent chance but Kallum Keane headed the effort away from under his bar.

Dynamo was to rue that missed opportunity as a couple of minutes later Gresley increased their lead. Jack Langston and Martin Smyth looked as if they both were going to take a pot shot at goal but their inter passing ended with Smyth threading the ball through to Jordan Ball who took a touch before hitting a hard low shot which beat McAlindon and into the bottom corner of the net. That goal came from only Gresley's second shot on target.

As the half drew to a close Dynamo went so close to halving the deficit. Will Dennis made a good run down the right and sent in a cross aimed at the penalty spot to Danny Edwards whose first time shot was well saved by visiting keeper Calum Ferrie who then followed that up by denying Leandro Browne at his near post as Browne threatened from a corner.

Dynamo's best chance of the game, so far, came early in the second half. A good cross from the left by Scott Meer found Anthony Marriott unmarked at the far post but the striker disappointingly for his side could only head the ball wide.

Gresley's third goal was a little fortunate but it was as a result of some good pressure. Substitute Melanius Mullarkey, who had replaced the hobbling Sam Wood, pushed the ball down the right to Langston whose dangerous low cross into the box saw Joe Pheasant sliding the ball into his own net.

Former Moatman Luke Edwards who had replaced Tom Maddison for the home side was soon threatening flashing a shot across the face of goal. But it was the visitors who went closest to adding to their lead. Ricketts put Langston through in on goal but he was denied by McAlindon, who was quick off his line to make a superb block.

Seconds later Gresley were inches away from scoring. This time substitute Jean Dokouri battled to get the ball back in midfield before finding Mullarkey who flew down the right and sent into the box a low cross but just when it looked like Ball would get the vital touch at the far post the ball was somehow taken off his toe with a last ditch tackle.

The home side got their consolation goal which was deserved for all their hard work but from a Gresley point of view it was disappointing to concede in the way they did after a solid display of defending.

Jake Carlisle managed to get in a vital tackle to break up a promising attack down the left conceding a corner. Rob Norris curled in his flag kick which was met by the head of Pheasant unmarked at the near post beating Ferrie.

That win halted Gresley's dismal run of five defeats in all competitions but plunged their hosts into the danger zone at the foot of the table.