Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Tuesday, 26th January 2016, 7.45pm
Vital Home Win For The Moatmen
Gresley got their first Moat Ground win since way back in early September after they grabbed all three points on a vey damp evening.
The Moat Ground had suffered a series of postponements recently do to the spell of wet weather and if the rain, which came down in the latter stages of this game, had come any earlier in the day then surely this one would also have gone the same way.
Despite the condition of the pitch it was good to get a first team game on at the Moat the first since the 3-2 Derbyshire Senior Cup win against Mickleover Sports on 8th December.
Gresley manager Gary Ricketts had to once more make changes to his side with Martin Smyth, Ryan King and Danny Booth all missing but, Ricketts himself was a welcome return after serving his three match suspension and his influence on the pitch was soon evident.
The visitors, Tividale, are stranded at the foot of the league table but despite their lowly position they made Gresley scrap for everything and work hard to get the three points and the welcome home win.
As on Saturday, Gresley started well with Jordan Ball hitting a shot on the turn straight at Tividale keeper Tom Turner. Ball then turns provider when he won the ball on the flank before sending a cross which Ricketts headed wide.
Gresley go close again when Liam Holt bursts into the area but his shot is well tipped away by Turner. Holt is involved again minutes later when he heads James Machin's cross from the right unfortunately against Ball and can only put the rebound over the bar.
The Moatmen got the goal they were looking for on 32 minutes. Dakouri pushed the ball through for Jack Langston who rounded Turner before slotting the ball home. It was no more than they deserved for all their effort so far. Tividale defender Lewis Wright had to be on his toes to head an effort off the line as Gresley threatened to add to their score.
Ricketts was causing the visiting defence all sorts of problems and he managed to knock down the ball to his strike partner but Ball was denied by Turner.
Gresley's lead was doubled just before the break. Ball collected a clearance just inside his own half and drilled the ball down the left for Ricketts who took a couple of strides before lobbing the ball over Turner who was off his line and into the far corner of the net.
Within five minutes of the second half starting Tividale had reduced the deficit with a very poor goal for the home side to concede. A free kick on the halfway line saw the ball punted forward. Gresley keeper Rob Peet came charging out of his area and looked to have had the situation in hand but he miscued his kick and the ball fell to Chris Sterling who duly took it round Peet before slotting the ball into the empty net.
That goal was all the visitors needed as it seemed to revitalise them and their enthusiasm and effort rose as the game went on.
Ball was having one of his better games and was almost rewarded with an assist as he fed the ball through to Ricketts but Turner was on hand again to deny the striker another goal. Ball then had a good chance to get himself on the scoresheet. John Guy threaded the ball for Ball to run onto. He rounded Turner but his final shot was blocked on the line by a defender.
Tividale should have been level just after the hour mark. A free kick by Mark Danks was punched away by Peet only as far as Shaquille Whittingham who curled a shot which clattered the far post and the ball came back hitting an onrushing Tividale player who could not control the ball and it flew wide.
The visitors had another chance as time was running out with Sam Brookes curling a superb shot but if flew past the far post.
Deep into added on time Gresley had a good chance to have added another goal. A quick break out of defence saw Ricketts slide the ball through for Langston who beat the offside and burst forward but his final effort slid past the wrong side of the post.
Not the prettiest of games but entertaining nevertheless as both sides battled not only each other but also the pitch and the elements. A vital three points for Gresley to build on.
