Evo-Stik NPL League Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Friday, 30th December 2016, 7.45pm
Steels Blunted At The Moat
Gresley ended 2016 with a result the supporters and players had been hoping for, add to that a clean-sheet, only the second of the season so far, a hard working, dogged performance and their first league double made the visit to the Moat Ground worthwhile on a damp and cold Friday night.
Manager Damion Beckford-Quailey needed to juggle his squad with three players moving on Pearson Mwanyongo, Courtney Meade and Toby Fury over the Christmas period and Tendai Chitiza away on holiday. Josh Dutton and a familiar face to the Moat faithful Ryan King had come in from the reserves to take a place on the bench.
The hard frost from yesterday and last night began to make the Moat Ground surface very soft and both side were finding their footing a challenge at times.
The game was decided by a solitary strike from Gresley's Matt Melbourne on 11 minutes but both sides had good chances to add to that total.
Melbourne's goal was a good one as the ball was played down the left to the frontman who cut in to the area finishing the move off with an unstoppable shot past visiting keeper David Reay and into the far corner.
Things could have been even better for the home side when Keenan King was put through down the middle but the advancing David Reay made a good block with his legs to deny him.
Just before the half hour mark Steels had a golden opportunity to level the scores. George Grayson made a good run down the flank and put in a low cross into the box which was just looking to be prodded into the net but Scott Ruthven, sliding in, missed the ball.
The visitors had another very good chance on 40 minutes. This time it was a cross from Nathaniel Crofts that went begging as Ruthven, who connected this time, could only scuff his attempt wide of the far post.
Gresley was handed the best of the chances at the end of the first half when Dexter Morris-Clarke was clattered to the ground in the area with referee Edward Cook pointing to the spot. Leandro Browne took charge but his attempt was a poor one giving the keeper the chance to make a comfortable save.
The home keeper, who had, had largely a quiet first half, was called into action on 55 minutes when he made a save from a low shot and then grabbing the ball at the second attempt.
Keenan King then warmed the hands of David Reay with his shot and minutes later Lucas Harrison tried his luck from distance but he low shot was straight at the keeper.
The game became scrappy for the final 15 minutes due largely to the deteriorating surface, but both sides had chances in time added on.
Melbourne charged down David Reay's kick and raced down the left before putting a low cross to substitute Ryan King but the final shot was straight at the keeper.
Steels threatened with a shot on the turn on the edge of the area which Peet did well to get his hands two parrying it to his left and followed up bravely diving at the feet of Crofts charging in at the far post.
