Evo-Stik NPL League Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 3rd December 2016, 3.00pm
Oh So Close For Gresley
To all the hardy supporters who had made the trip to Kidsgrove in midweek they would have witnessed a vastly improved performance from their Gresley side. Back was the work rate and determination that was sadly missing midweek.
Yes, Gresley were on the end of a two-one defeat but in the second half they gave as good as they received and with a bit more clinical finishing could quite easily have grabbed themselves a share of the points just as Rushden did at home when the two sides last met in early September.
More changes for Gresley manager Damion Beckford-Quailey as Jamie Barrett was absent due to holidays, Matt Roome still struggling with a back problem, keeper Rob Peet still side lined with a finger injury and Tom Manship still recovering. To add to his difficulties Reece Morris reported feeling ill in the warm up and swapped places with Ben Harris.
Rushden, on an unbeaten league going back to August, set out their ambition going close twice in the first 8 minutes with Tom Loraine putting his sliding effort wide and bringing out a good block from home keeper Matt Coton.
The visitors took the lead on 11 minutes. A lofted cross into the box was only half headed clear as far as Fazel Koriya who smashed the ball back into the net.
They threatened again a few minutes later but a superb block stopped Loraine in his tracks deep in the box. However, the well time tackle came at a cost as the young defender Jordan Wakeling suffered what is suspected a serious knee injury and had t be replaced by Josh Egginton.
Rushden's keeper made the first of several decent saves when he managed to hold onto Pearson Mwanyong's well struck shot at his near post.
Gresley was awarded a corner and the ball was cleared up field. Lucas Harrison collected the ball and raced forward into the area only to be pushed over by Liam Dolman. The referee Mr Hunt pointed to the spot where Courtney Meade sent visiting keeper Matt Finlay the wrong way to level the scores.
Minutes later Gresley went close to adding to their tally when a Harrison hammered a shot into the area. The ball deflected to Ryan Walker who curled a shot just high and wide of the goal. Coton was alert to push Dolman's free kick away diving to his left.
Rushden regained the lead on 36 minutes. A corner from the left by Richard Bunting was put on a plate for the impressive Dolman to head home from the centre of the goal.
The action at the other end saw a cross from the left just elude the outstretched leg of Matt Melbourne racing in. On the stroke of half time Gresley went close again but Harris's low free kick was gathered by Finlay.
The second half largely belonged to Gresley who constantly pushed their opposition back looking for the breakthrough but some resolute defending was making it hard for them.
A very good flowing move down the middle ended with Meade firing a shot over the bar. Three minutes later Mwanyongo made a good run down the left, cut in and curled a shot which cannoned off the far post. He then went close again smashing a low shot on the turn which Finlay did well to hold.
On 64 minutes Meade was agonisingly denied by Rory Winters as he was ready to tap the ball home.
Rushden wasn't done trying to add another goal with Nabil Shariff firing straight at Coton and then Coton having to make a good block as Loraine beat the Gresley back line.
Gresley continued to plough forward looking for the reward their performance had deserved but was denied by last ditch defending from Dolman and Brad Harris.
Meade then fired just over after cutting in from the left as Gresley were clearly the better side in the second half and as the whistle blew you could feel the huge relief coming from the visitors and the bitter disappointment from Gresley having missed out on a share of the spoils they richly deserved.
