Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
Communications Park, Daventry
Saturday, 16th April 2016, 3.00pm
Seven Up For Gresley
There's a very old saying that revenge is a dish best served cold but this game was nothing of the sort as Gresley produced a red hot serving to beat Daventry and redress the humiliating thumping they received at the Moat Ground from their hosts albeit against a very much changed side.
Daventry had just three of the side remaining who visited South Derbyshire back at the beginning of November and included three former Moatmen in their squad but that said, Gresley had just four from their starting eleven on that day.
Manager Gary Ricketts was forced into making changes with Liam Holt starting his three game ban. Rob Peet replaced Matt Cottrell in goal and Sam Wright came in at left back for the injured Brad Smith.
Gresley came out the blocks quickly forcing a corner but it was the home side who went close to opening the scoring when Wright headed Edilson Panzo-Antonio's corner towards his own goal but Peet was alert and managed to push the ball over the bar.
That was the nearest the hosts went and on 15 minutes they were behind. Gresley were awarded a free kick 20 yards out and John Guy, playing as center forward, chose to take the kick and he placed his shot perfectly into the near top corner giving keeper Ben Heath no chance.
Two minutes later Gresley doubled their advantage from a very good move. The ball was played out to Ryan King on the left, he raced forward and then sent a superb diagonal pass to Michael Pearson on the opposite flank who flew down the right before sending a low cross into the box for Martin Smyth to tap in from close in.
Guy went close to adding the third goal but after controlling the ball well fired his shot over the bar. He didn't have to wait long though for another chance as almost immediately a quick free kick from Jack Langston to Pearson saw him fly down the right and then send over a pinpoint cross which found Guy at the far post and his header found the back of the net.
Pearson had a chance himself to get on the scoresheet but put his shot over the bar. Guy, who had hit the bar earlier, did well to hold the ball up before slipping it to Langston but again the effort slid wide of the far post.
Every time Gresley went forward they looked like they could score as the home defence were struggling to contain the lively King, Guy and Smyth in their area. Smyth was denied by Heath's block at the near post but Daventry could not prevent the fourth goal. King took a throw in very quickly to Guy who returned the favour as King raced into the box and after he sidestepped Heath slipped the ball into the net.
Gresley were playing some of the best football of the season and from another flowing move they increased their lead. Smyth found Langston down the left who in turn picked out King who saw Smyth had made a good run into the box and slid the ball through for Smyth to tap in from close in.
Pearson almost laid on another goal when he crossed for Guy who skewed his shot wide of the near post. Langston then hit a stinging drive which Heath could only push away but Gresley's constant pressure told on the tiring home defence as Pearson was brought down in the area. Guy completed his hat-trick sending Heath the wrong way from the penalty spot.
On a rare venture forward Daventry went the closest they been to scoring when Ryan Archer got the better of Wright down the left before sending in a low ball which went across the face of Gresley's goal but there was no-one to turn the ball home.
Gresley could easily have taken their foot off the gas but they continued to press forward and another good move involving Guy, Pearson and substitute Machin ended with the latter having his shot tipped over by Heath.
More good play ended the scoring almost on the stroke of full time. Smyth's interplay with substitute Ricketts was finished by Smyth slotting home completing his hat-trick.
This was the biggest league away win since Gresley's 9-0 thumping of Anstey Nomads in August 2010.
