Evo-Stik NPL League Division One South
Harrison Park, Leek
Saturday, 22nd April 2017, 3.00pm
Gresley End With A Thumping
Gresley ended their disappointing season with arguably their worst display of the season. Their opponents Leek Town hardly had to break into a sweat as their visitors hardly caused them much concern. Indeed, it was possibly the easiest game they've had all season.
Gresley manager Damion Beckford-Quailey was again almost lost for words after the game and who could blame him. There were hardly any players in his team that could come out without any credit. Their decision making was poor as was their passing which unfortunately has become a hallmark of many of their performances since Christmas. Their work-rate was not that we've come to accept in Gresley shirt. We need to be thankful for the good start to the season because the last four months has been relegation form.
Another disappointment was that many of our 'so called' ball players couldn't take advantage of the flat surface as we've seen with the performances on the 3G pitches they'd played on this season. Another performance like this one at Chesterfield's stadium next month and it will be another embarrassing night against Matlock as the previous one proved to be.
Today there was nothing to play for league wise but there were the shirts for the Cup Final and on this showing the manager will struggle to fill all sixteen shirts.
Beckford-Quailey brought Max Atkin into the keeper spot to give him match time before the Derbyshire Senior Cup game but it was not his best showing and he gave Laithan Hammond a start with Leandro Browne given a place on the bench.
Gresley had a bright three or four minutes at the start but after that it was nearly all Town who looked as if they were in a training game or a pre-season game as they were given so much space to play in especially down the left were Rob Stevenson caused havoc.
With 5 minutes on the clock the first of Leek's goals arrived curtesy of some poor defending. Having repelled one corner from the right, the Gresley defeat were slow to react to the second and the ball was rolled out by Sam Grimshaw to Tom France who was able to drill a low shot from distance which beat Atkin easily.
It seemed as if Leek could score with every attempt on goal because their second shot on goal produced their second goal albeit with the help of a huge deflection. France fired towards goal from distance but this time the deflection looped the ball over Atkin and into the far corner of the net.
On 36 minutes goal number three arrived possibly the easiest of them all. Grimshaw was allowed to run 20 yards or so through the middle before unleashing a shot from outside the area which left Atkin stationary.
One glimmer of hope for the travelling contingent of Gresley fans came five minutes later. A free kick from the right by Ben Harris found Hammond in the box but his powerful header was acrobatically tipped over by the tall Town keeper Ben Chapman.
Leek were soon into their stride and Peter Williams ran through unopposed into the area. His shot was blocked for a corner at the near post. Minutes later Rob Stevenson was in enough space on the left to have waited two or three minutes before running on. Again, no tackle came in and he was allowed to fire a low cross across the face of goal but there was no-one on hand to tap the ball home.
Gresley substitute Jon Stevenson, on for Harris at the break, threaded the ball through to fellow substitute Keenan King who had replaced the injured Tom Manship just before half-time. The striker ran forward but his shot flew over the bar.
On 63 minutes goal number four arrived and this one was all of Atkin's own making. A ball was played back to the keeper who dallied too long on it and Leek substitute Jonny Higham closed him down and robbed him of the ball. Atkin reacted by hauling Higham down and was very, very fortunate not to have been showed the red card instead of the yellow he did receive. Darren Chadwick took the spot kick and drilled the ball past Atkin.
Ten minutes later goal number 5. This time it was substitute Daniel Shelly who did the damage. A minute later it could have been worse for the visitors as Leek threatened to run riot. Atkin spilled a low shot and was fortunate when Rob Stevenson fired the loose ball back against him.
Gresley's consolation goal came on 79 minutes from perhaps the best move from the Moatmen. Matt Melbourne made a good run down the right and his cross was slotted home by King from close in.
The visitors could have added a second in time added on but the unlucky Leandro Browne saw his low drive come back off the inside of the far post and away to safety.
