Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
Shaw Lane, Barnsley
Tuesday, 8th March 2016, 7.45pm
Second Half Rally To Late For Gresley
The phrase 'a game of two halves' has been used many times this season when describing a Gresley game and this one was no different.
Any of the travelling faithful who had made the long journey on a damp night must have thought their side was in for a thumping as the hosts raced into a four goal lead just after the half hour mark showing why they are the biggest challengers to Stafford Rangers for the league title.
They sliced through the visiting defence with every charge forward playing to their strengths sending high balls over the Gresley backline for their trio of forwards led superbly by the impressive Gavin Allott while at the back their defenders easily soaked up anything Gresley could muster and to be honest that wasn't too much.
However, what a transformation in the second half. The drive, fighting spirit and determination sadly lacking in the first half was evident in abundance in the second as Gresley dominated scoring two and hitting the post.
Gresley manager Gary Ricketts was serving the last of his four game ban but influential midfielders Jack Langston and Liam Holt were also missing after not recovering from their injuries adding to Ricketts' depleted squad.
There was a new face on the bench after defender-midfielder Tommy Street had completed his signing in time to be included in the squad.
The Ducks title credentials were soon evident as the pressed Gresley back from the start on a very wet surface with Jamie Walshaw firing over from close in.
It didn't take long for the Ducks to open their account. Gresley felt they should have had a free kick when Martin Smyth was felled but the referee allowed play to continue and a long punt up field found Walshaw on the left on the edge of the area and he struck a superb half volley across Gresley keeper Rob Peet and into the far corner. The hosts went close again but Peet did well to tip over the bar a header from Allott.
Shaw Lane seemed to find their players with ease causing Gresley problems at the back. A corner from the right by Reece Hands picked out Matt Dempsey whose volley flew fractionally over the bar.
The hosts doubled their advantage on 21 minutes as a result of a good move. Allott fed the perfect ball for Lee Bennett who completed the move striking the ball past Peet.
Once move the home side pressed forward with Jono Wafula going close firing his low shot just wide. John Guy then made a good block to deny Dempsey with the rebound going wide.
Gresley were struggling to get onto the opposition's half as wave after wave of pressure pinned them back and that pressure paid off as the hosts added to their tally. Allott's ball to Walshaw sent him flying down the right. He then fired in a low cross which the unfortunate Jamie Barrett could only put into his own net as he attempted to block the shot.
Things got even worse just two minutes later when the Ducks added goal number four. This time it was Oscar Radford who provided the perfect cross from the right for the impressive Allott to powerfully head home at the far post.
The half time whistle came giving a few minutes of respite for the battered Gresley side and the hardy Gresley supporters fearing a hammering from Shaw Lane.
Whatever was said at half time seemed to work wonders as Gresley came out a different side. Ricketts made two changes with Matt Cottrell replacing Peet and Street coming on for his debut in place of Chris Richards.
Before Gresley finally got to grips with the game they almost fell further behind within a few minutes of the re-start when Reece Hands flashed a shot which just swung wide of the far post.
Ryan King was starting to give the Shaw Lane defence problems and was unlucky not to have scored when he got the better of his marker and hit a shot from distance which took a slight deflection before striking the far post.
Jordan Ball and Ryan King combined to win the ball in midfield. It came to Albert Lansdowne 22 yards out and he hit a swerving shot which flew into the net despite home keeper Tom Morgan get a hand to the ball giving the youngster his first goal for the club.
The lively King then fired a low shot which went straight to Morgan as Gresley got on top of the game.
The second goal was a result of some dogged work by Ball. King made a good run forward and Lansdowne supplied the cross to Ball. The chance looked to have gone when he mishit his shot at Morgan. The chance seemed to have gone as the ball headed towards the bye line with Morgan scrambling to grab the ball but Ball didn't give up and managed to square the ball for Smyth to hammer home from close in.
Could the impossible happen as Gresley pressed forward looking for more goals. Street was also causing the defence problems since coming on using his height flicking the ball on and King continuing to scare his marker. He once more got the better of Gary Stohrer but his shot was blocked. King then finished off a fine second half performance by getting into a good position but his shot flew just wide.
