Match Report  |  Gresley FC vs Market Drayton Town

Gresley have the habit at the moment of dragging their supporters through every emotion you can have at a football match - despair, joy, frustration, bewilderment, anger to name but a few! But, you can be assured that there are usually goals and you get your money's worth.

Their 'never say die' attitude can give the Moat faithful the assurance that they will not let their heads drop if they are behind and will still go forward looking for success right until the final whistle.

That was in evidence today as they found themselves behind with 18 minutes remaining but turned the game around to claim all three points.

On a filthy afternoon, very heavy rain a couple of hours before and during the game led to a pitch which didn't help either side to play to their strengths but to their credit both provided some entertainment on a very miserable afternoon weather wise.

Gresley manager Damion Beckford-Quailey made just one change bringing in goalkeeper Tom Allan for Ben Gough as Rob Peet had not recovered from his recent injury and in a very one-sided first half Allan's kit was almost in pristine condition whereas his opposite number Ashley Rawlins was heading for the laundry after spending the half making breath taking saves and preventing his side from being on the end of a mauling.

The home side took the lead on 6 minutes. Courtney Meade made a run down the right and put in a cross into the box and after what seemed an age as players were either trying to clear the ball or put it in the net Tendai Chitiza managed to slot the ball home.

Gresley almost doubled their advantage two minutes later when Toby Fura collected a loose ball and drove forward before hitting a fine shot which brought out the first of Rawlins' string of superb saves diving to his right.

The Moatmen had an even better chance on 11 minutes when Meade was brought down in the area by Thomas Edge. Pearson Mwanyongo took the penalty kick but the usually reliable Mwanyongo, although striking the ball well, was denied by the tall keeper diving full stretch to his right to push the effort away.

Gresley were left to rue those misses as Town leveled a minute later when Daniel Beddows headed Joe Cuff's free kick powerfully home unchallenged from the center of the area.

The action swung to the other end with Gresley pressing once more with Rawlins again on top form blocking two attempts in succession from Chitiza and as the ball came out Mwanyongo struck a thunderous shot which Rawlins managed to get a fingertip to, to push the ball over the bar.

It seemed Gresley were destined not to score again with yet another cracking shot being turned over the bar by Rawlins.

A rare attempt from Town came on the half hour mark when Scott Ryan turned on the edge of the area but firing narrowly over.

Reece Morris went close for Gresley firing wide of the far post but his side were dealt a cruel blow with 5 minutes of the half remaining when a wickedly deflected shot from Aiden Houghton looped into the net leaving Allan flatfooted.

Gresley tried their hardest to gain parity before the halftime break with Fura putting an inviting cross into Town's box but Morris, who managed to get on the end of it, had his effort blocked.

As the final whistle was about to be blown Gresley though they'd draw level when Matt Roome's perfectly threaded ball to Lucas Harrison put the midfielder in on goal but that man Rawlins brought out another top save to tip the ball over the bar.

Gresley continued where they'd left off hunting for a goal to get them back into the game but frustratingly for the home side Rawlins was still in the mood to keep them out. His outstretched leg was just enough to prevent Morris's shot from reaching the far bottom corner, while Mwanyongo finished his run down the right only to have his shot deflected for a corner.

Allan, who had been largely untroubled from open play, needed to be alert when Cuff was played in but Allan made a good save at his near post. Mwanyongo had a good chance at the other end but his on target shot was deflected for a corner.

Just as it seemed that it just wasn't going to be Gresley's day they drew level on 72 minutes. Meade made a good run forward but his first shot was blocked. He collected the loose ball and picked out Mwanyongo with his pass and the prolific forward took his chance with a low shot into the net at the near post. A minute later they were in front when Meade got the better of Rawlins slotting the ball into the net.

Both sides continued to press forward with corners at both end in the final minute but Gresley managed to hold out and hold on to all three fully deserved points preserving their unbeaten start to the league season.