Match Report  |  Market Drayton Town vs Gresley FC

Disappointingly, the main talking point of this game especially from a Gresley point of view, was the performance of the referee. Showing two early yellow cards to Gresley players seemed to set his standard but unfortunately the inconsistency of his following decisions angered both sets of players and managements.

Gresley's Reece Morris was being badly fouled regularly throughout the match but not once was a yellow card shown until very late on in the game. Allegedly, the reason being that the diminutive player was 'too good' for those trying to challenge him, but surely a dreadful foul should be a yellow card whether the player is too good or not?

Then, with 10 minutes or so of the game remaining, Laithan Hammond was brought down from behind as he raced into the area only for Mr Mohan to remark that the defender got the ball, despite going through the back of Hammond to get it, and awarding a corner much to the furious anger from the visitors - as clear a penalty as you are likely to witness in any football game!

Gresley manager Damion Beckford-Quailey made changes to the side who had beaten Glossop in midweek with Jordan Wakelin, Lucas Harrison, Matt Melbourne and Ben Harris all returning to the starting line-up. Max Atkin continued in goal replacing the injured Rob Peet.

The visitors made the first chance with Harris firing straight at keeper Ashley Rawlings but Town responded by going close at the other end.

On 6 minutes a short corner by Morris eventually came out to Lucas Harrison but his shot from distance flew wide.

Gresley went close again when Keenan King charged down Rawlins' attempted clearance but the ball rolled wide of the far post and was cleared.

William Whieldon struck a shot on the turn which was well saved by Atkin but seconds later Gresley were in front when Harris played a superb ball through the middle for Melbourne who coolly fired past Rawlins.

The home side began to get on top with Glyn Coney heading Shaquille Whittingham's cross from the left narrowly over the bar followed by a deflected shot which was held by Atkin.

Town equalised on the half hour capitalising on some sloppy Gresley defending when the ball seemd to deceive Roome falling for Andre James who took his chance well firing across Atkin and into the far bottom corner.

Using the slope as an advantage Town were soon searching for a second goal forcing corners which amounted to nothing, but they took the lead with 3 minutes of the first half remaining. A good ball was sent down the right and ended with a fine cross into the box for Whittingham to rifle home.

Town deserved their first half lead but Gresley, who seemed like it was a little 'after the Lord Mayor's show' took charge of the second half for long periods and they went close soon into the half. Harris headed the ball through for substitute Hammond who ran forward only to be denied by the outstretched leg of Rawlins.

Rawlins was the saviour again for his side minutes later. A corner by Harris was met by the head of Wakelin but a top draw save saw the keeper tip his goal bound effort over the bar.

Gresley went close again on 70 minutes when the ball bouncing around the Town six-yard box was backheeled by Hammond and it looked certain to end up in the back of the net but somehow Rawlins reacted superbly to make the save on his line.

With Gresley pressing forward looking for an equaliser almost found themselves even further behind. Coney was put through by a defence splitting ball but with only Atkin to beat skewed his shot wide of the far post.

Gresley thought they won the chance to equalise when Hammond raced into the area only to be chopped down from behind. Unbelievably, the referee saw nothing illegal in the tackle and awarded just a corner. The visitors and supporters were seething but Mr Mohan just shrugged off the protests.

Despite Gresley having the better of the half the ball just would drop in their favour. They did have the ball in the net at the end of regular time but Jamie Barrett who rammed home a rebound from yet another good save by Rawlins only for the assistant linesman to curtail his celebrations.

This was yet another game where Gresley deserved a share of the points but when you are in the position Gresley are in the rub of the green does not seem to go for you.