Evo-Stik NPL League Division One South
Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field, Spalding
Saturday, 24th September 2016, 3.00pm
Gresley Leave It Late For A Point
Gresley can consider today's game as a point gained rather than two lost as for most of the game they were under the cosh. If Spalding's finishing hadn't been so wayward they could have been out of sight by halftime.
But a mark of this Gresley side is that they do not give up and tried to play against United's tactics, especially in the first half, of hoofing the ball high and long using the stiff wind at their backs at every chance possible meaning the ball spent most of the time sailing over midfield and at times well over the bar reminiscent of a game that uses an oval shaped ball.
The home tactics may not be the best to watch but they played them and the conditions to their advantage and were soon in front.
A wind assisted cross from the right found Nathan Whitehead in acres of space at the far post and he had the time to choose his spot planting his headed into the far corner with just four minutes on the clock.
Five minutes later United had another good chance to increase their lead. A corner from the left by Andy Wright was met by Nathan Stainfield but he put his header straight into the arms of keeper Rob Peet.
Peet was called upon again on 15 minutes this time to make a superb save from Wright who had burst through the middle.
There was corner after corner for the home side but some resolute defending from Gresley kept out any attempt with Peet once more making a breath taking save to prevent his side going further behind.
Gresley were surviving the onslaught somehow with Michael Pearson clearing an effort from Stainfield off the line at the far post.
Cenk Acar was causing problems down the right and following a run he cut inside and shot only for Peet once again making a save to push the ball over the bar.
How Gresley had made it to the break just one goal down was a mystery.
Despite Spalding having the wind in their faces for the second half they were soon in their stride with former Moatman Brad Wells heading wide when well placed.
Gresley had yet to register a shot anywhere near the Spalding goal and they had to wait until 58th minute when Pearson Mwanyongo hit a shot wide.
United's second goal came as a result of a slip from Lucas Harrison leaving Sam Downey to push the ball into the run of Wells who then put the ball past the exposed Peet. Nathan Whitehead tried his luck with a low shot which Peet held.
Reece Morris had been having some joy down the left and after leaving his marker managed to cut the ball back to Courtney Meade who duly slotted the ball into the net off the inside of the near post, Gresley's first shot on target. Unbelievably, Gresley were back into a game which had looked lost a few minutes earlier.
The game became scrappy but Gresley substitute Toby Fura went close firing his free kick just wide.
Unbelievably, Gresley were handed a 'get out of gaol free' card when referee David Hunt awarded them a penalty on 90 minutes. To make thing worse for the home side the perpetrator Neal Spafford who was adjudged to have handled in the area, despite his protestations, was shown a second yellow card and with it a red.
Mwanyongo took the spot kick making no mistake sending keeper Michael Duggan the wrong way and the travelling Gresley fans behind the goal into joyous celebrations.
Not many sides will come away from Spalding with anything to show for their endeavours. It looked as Gresley would be one of them making the journey back to South Derbyshire empty handed but they dug in and they say you make your own luck especially in football and today the Moatmen made theirs and a point against the league leaders leaving both sides still undefeated in the league.
