Match Report  |  Gresley FC vs Spalding United

Gresley completed a second double over play-off hopefuls within three days as they beat Spalding United on a cold night at the Moat Ground.

On Saturday they beat Lincoln United in a game which in all honesty Gresley were fortunate to win but there was certainly no luck about tonight's victory as the Moatmen comfortably beat their visitors.

For the fourth consecutive game Gresley fielded the same starting eleven meaning Matt Roome had to be content with a place on the bench.

The first chance fell to the home side on five minutes with Jack Langston striking a powerful shot which just cleared the bar. Langston went close again with a shot which took a deflection which almost wrong footed visiting keeper Michael Duggan who managed to grab the ball.

Gresley had to defend at times from problems of their own making as passes went astray but it was the home side who carved out the next good chance. This time it was a cross from the right by Martin Smyth which found Liam Holt but his header went wide.

Chris Richards they caused the Spalding defence problems and after beating three defenders his shot is blocked for a corner. Jordan Ball picked the ball up but his shot was blocked.

Ball was unlucky again minutes later. Richards did well to win the ball in midfield before slipping it to Gary Ricketts who in turn crosses from the left to the back post but once more Ball's effort is blocked.

The forward didn't have long to wait for his next chance to arrive. Smyth controlled the ball in his own half and then sent over a long ball which beat the Spalding back line and Ball racing forward takes one touch before rounding Duggan and slipping the ball home.

Both sides had chances right on the half time whistle. Ricketts held Jake Carlisle's throw-in up to give Langston the time to race forward before hitting a stinging shot but straight at Duggan.

While at the other end Nathan Stainfield found himself one-on-one with Gresley keeper Rob Peet but the keeper made a fine block to deny the Spalding skipper.

The first chance of the second half fell to the visitors. Tom Waumsley beat the offside trap and raced forward only to put his shot into the side netting - a let off for the home side.

This was followed three minutes later with another clear chance for the visitors. A fine cross from Dan Banister found Charlie Sanders in space just 5 yards out but Peet pulled off a superb save to deny Sanders what looked like a certain equaliser.

It was Duggan's turn to make a fine save at the other end. Ricketts back heels the ball into the path of Smyth whose low shot was superbly tipped wide for a corner. Gresley doubled their lead when Langston's corner from the right was powerfully headed home by the diving Ricketts.

Gresley continued to snub out any threat from Spalding and closed out a comfortable win and a valuable three points.