Evo-Stik NPL League Division One South
Butlin Road, Rugby
Saturday, 15th April 2017, 3.00pm
Hard Earned Win For Gresley
Gresley's win at Butlin Road sets up Monday's game against Loughborough Dynamo beautifully as they made the relegation dog fight interesting. Dynamo need to claim all three points at the Moat Ground and Rugby to lose away to Bedworth United to take the fight to the last day.
Gresley flew out of the blocks at Butlin Road having a great chance to open the scoring with hardly a minute on the clock which was blocked. But, they didn't have long to wait as they rattled in two quick goals but Town was back into the game when they were awarded a very dubious penalty.
Manager Damion Beckford-Quailey made a change to the side that lost to Witton Albion last Saturday with Sam Grouse handed a start. Laithan Hammond was still away on holiday and Keenan King was serving the second of his three game ban.
The first chance came early for the visitors with Grouse being denied as he made his way into the area. Town looked a little shell-shocked and were undone on 4 minutes. Matt Melbourne made a fine run down the left and his cross was turned home by Reece Morris.
Another chance came minutes later when Grouse was put through but, with only the keeper to beat, saw his effort saved by the onrushing stopper Louis Connor.
Gresley continued to apply the pressure and it payed off on 7 minutes. A free kick by Tom Manship, on the edge of Town's area, was deflected off the wall and Melbourne was quick to react smashing the ball into the net.
Town eventually got themselves sorted out and got back into the game pushing Gresley back forcing two consecutive corners. They did manage to get the ball in the net but the raised flag of the assistant referee cut short their celebrations.
The hosts went close again when a free kick by Trey Braithwaite flew across the goal mouth but there was no touch to finish it off.
On 26 minutes Town were handed a life line literally. A shot from around three yards away appeared to hit Melbourne in a sensitive place but the referee Mr Brown adjudged the ball to have struck a hand and very harshly he pointed to the spot. Levi Rowley took the kick sending Gresley keeper James Flinders the wrong way. Another attempt for Town came with Levi Rowley blazing a shot over the bar when well placed.
Gresley had a golden chance to regain their two-goal advantage when Leandro Browne was brought down a couple of yards into the area. The referee didn't hesitate to award the penalty. Former Rugby player Manship chose to take the kick but his well struck shot crashed off the bar and Town had been let off.
A rare save from Flinders denied Ryan Quinn from leveling just before the break pushing the final shot wide after Quinn had beaten the offside trap.
Within a couple of minutes of the restart Gresley had two good chances to increase their advantage with Morris making his way into the area but placed his shot wide. This was followed by Manship also firing wide from a good position.
Town's Connor was the busier of the two keepers but the only shot of note from the home side saw Flinders push it away.
Morris then tested Connor with a shot on the turn which Connor superbly tipped away for a corner. Despite plenty of possession from Town they could not find the final touch. Indeed, it was Gresley who went close to adding to their total.
A low shot from distance by Ben Harris was collected by Connor who then made another superb save moments later. A free kick by Manship found Melbourne who expertly turned his marker before hitting a stinging half volley which Connor did well to push away at his near post.
From the resulting corner taken by Manship from the right Melbourne went close again but this time his header flew wide of the far post.
This was always going to be a tough game with Rugby fighting for their Step Four lives and Gresley knew that these three points were hard earned but they deserved their win.
