Intergro League Cup 1st Rond
South Kesteven Stadium, Grantham
Tuesday, 15th November 2016, 7.45pm
Gresley Fight Back Too Late
There will be few tears shed for this result as Gresley can now concentrate on consolidating their league position and winning more points.
This was a long journey to make in midweek with no points up for grabs but manager Damion Beckford-Quailey took the chance to give players match time making seven changes from the side that beat Basford on Saturday.
Keenan King was handed his full debut with Lucas Harrison, Alvin Jarvis, Jordan Wakeling, Eddy Samba and Toby Fura all coming in to the staring eleven. Reece Morris had completed his three-match ban and was also included.
After the first twelve minutes, it looked like it was going to be a difficult night for the Moatmen being two goals down and made even more so by conceding another goal just before the break.
However, this game of two halves saw Gresley take the front foot in the second half scoring two good goals and coming close to taking the game to penalty kicks.
Gresley found themselves a goal down with hardly two minutes on the clock. A carelessly conceded free kick 25 yards out saw Danny Meadows fire a low shot through a crowded 18-yard box and past an unsighted Rob Peet.
More pressure saw the home side double their advantage ten minutes later when Lee Shaw got the better of Wakeling on the right before hitting a shot across Peet and into the bottom far corner.
Peet denied Lee Shaw from scoring again a minute later when he blocked the shot, this time from the left, with an outstretched leg.
The nearest Gresley got in this first quarter of the game came when King's on target shot was deflected for a corner. Tendai Chitiza had a half chance for the visitors not long afterwards when he cut in from the left before hitting his shot straight at home keeper. Whilst at the other end Luke Shaw was doing similarly firing his shot straight at Peet.
With three minutes remaining of the half Grantham added their third goal. A defence splitting ball from Luke Shaw allowed Lee Shaw to race forward round Peet and slot the ball into the empty net.
Words were said in the Gresley dressing room at half time and they had the desired effect as they came out and took the game to their Premier League opponents.
Gresley were awarded a corner on the left which was played short led to the ball not being cleared and substitute Jamie Barrett, who had come up for the corner, collected the loose ball and with the skill of a striker drove forward before blasting his shot past keeper Kieran Preston.
Leandro Browne followed by striking his shot towards the far corner but Preston managed to get a vital touch to push the ball away.
Filipe Barcelos went close for the Gingerbreads curling his shot only just past the far post but it was Gresley who were making most of the chances.
A superb 40-yard cross field pass was well controlled by Morris who then continued his run down the left finishing the move with a shot that Preston needed to push away for a corner. Another corner was conceded which Fura swung in from the left and it was met by the head of Jarvis which Preston could only punch out as far as substitute Courtney Meade but his shot went straight into the midriff of the keeper.
Substitute Pearson Mwanyongo then forced Preston into a good save to deny him but the keeper could do nothing to stop Gresley grabbing a second goal late on.
A good flowing move was coolly finished when Browne flew down the left before squeezing the ball into the net at the near post.
