Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Tuesday, 15th March 2016, 7.45pm
Another Defeat For Gresley
Gresley suffered their fourth consecutive defeat with three of them at the Moat Ground and to be honest it was what they deserved as they were soundly beaten by a useful Rugby side managed by former Gresley player Dale Belford.
The home side looked like a side who couldn't wait for the season to end as their lacklustre display disappointed the home supporters who at least wanted some fight from their side.
Gresley were still missing their two midfielders Jack Langston and Liam Holt and after just 18 minutes they also lost Martin Smyth.
Manager Gary Ricketts made three changes with Matt Cottrell replacing Rob Peet in goal, Chris Richards coming in at left back and Carl Slater into midfield with Lucas Harrison and Jamie Barrett taking a place on the bench.
Gresley fell behind after just 7 minutes when a long throw was missed in the box and David Kolodyski was able to slip the ball to Kevin Thornton who coolly slotted the ball past Cottrell and into the far corner.
Ricketts went very close to levelling five minutes later but he could only put his effort agonisingly wide of the far post.
That was the best chance for the Moatmen in the first half as Rugby began to control the game. They went close to extending their lead when Thornton burst through but Cottrell did well to block his shot with his legs at the expense of a corner. The corner swung in from the left was narrowly headed wide of the near post.
A minute later Cottrell was needed again this time to deny Kolodyski as he turned his shot away for a corner.
Gresley once more conceded a penalty, the fourth in four games, when Jake Carlisle apparently brought down Thornton which seemed a little harsh on the defender. Thornton took the spot kick sending Cottrell the wrong way.
A change at half time saw Carlisle replaced by Tommy Street but Gresley were still failing to find their team mates with passes and were still conceding silly free kicks in dangerous areas. One of the on the edge of the D went harmlessly over the bar.
Cottrell was by far the busier of the two keepers at this stage and he was needed again on the hour mark. A good flowing move from the visitors ended with Callum Powell firing a shot which was well saved.
Gresley's miserable night was made complete on 64 minutes. A free kick was not cleared and Thornton sent a cross-sum-shot which was heading wide but a flying header from Gresley's Matt Roome steered the ball into his own net.
On 73 minute Gresley made a change with Harrison replacing Jordan Ball who was making his final appearance for the Moatmen before joining Matlock Town.
Would the change make a difference? Well perhaps that bit of luck Gresley were missing seemed to arrive minutes later when Lansdowne's long punt forward was met by Rugby keeper Sam Andrews who was well out of his area.
Ricketts put Andrews under pressure and could only skew the ball to Ryan King and the youngster hit the ball straight back towards the empty net from 35 yards and it seemed to take an age before settling in the back of the net with Andrews closing in fast.
That goal seemed to spark Gresley into life which had been missing for most of the match. King who had, been troubling the visiting defence, then went close again two minutes later. This time he beat Andrews, who was charging out of his goal, to the ball and lobbed it over the keeper only for it to bounce just over the bar. If that had gone in the final 10 minutes may have been interesting.
