FA Cup 1st Round Qualifying
Deeping Sports and Social Club, Outgang Road, Deeping
Saturday, 3rd September 2016, 3.00pm
Meade Leads The Way With A Hat-Trick
According to Gresley's manager Damion Beckford-Quailey this was a complete performance from his players.
Indeed, it was as every player played their part and the only disappointing thing was the two goals Gresley conceded as they both came from two debateable decisions from referee Richard Hart.
Gresley were still missing players with Alvin Jarvis suffering a fractured leg and Tom Manship a severely bruised heel. Several players were carrying slight injuries but Beckford-Quailey's side has the depth of squad to cope with such occurrences and it proved too strong for United Counties outfit Deeping Rangers.
The visitors got off to a fine start taking the lead on 8 minutes when Reece Morris made a fine run down the left before cutting in and firing a low shot to keeper Richard Stainsby's near post which he seemed to leave making no effort to prevent the goal.
Gresley continued to press forward with Eddy Samba hitting Morris's pass which Stainsby managed to hold on to.
Rangers should have levelled on 23 minutes but Scott Coupland in space and unmarked could only head weakly straight at Gresley keeper Rob Peet.
The home side were left to rue that squandered chance as Gresley doubled their lead a minute later. Pearson Mwanyongo made a run down the right before cutting inside and sending over a cross to the far post which was met by Courtney Meade who duly headed home.
Again Rangers went close but was denied by the diving save of Peet who pushed the ball away for a corner. This was followed by Coupland's shot at Peet but it lacked any power to trouble the Gresley keeper.
Sixty seconds later Meade added another goal for the visitors. Morris was tormenting the home defence down the left and looped over a ball which Meade raced onto. Goalkeeper Stainsby came out but dallied in his decision giving the Gresley striker the time to take the ball down before sliding it into the unguarded net.
Gresley could have gone in for the break even further in front but Mwanyongo's curling effort from the left was cleared off the line by a defender.
The visitors came out for the second half and were soon testing Stainsby this time with a shot from Samba which the keeper could not hold at his near post and the ball squirmed away for a corner.
Rangers threatened and looked certain to chalk one goal off but a superbly timed block by Jake Carlisle denied Luke Avis his opportunity.
The fourth goal came on 55 minutes. The hard working Mwanyongo put a cross into the area and Meade struck his shot which was blocked but his follow up found the back of the net.
Luke Hunnings went close for Rangers but his shot on the turn fizzed past the far post.
Mwanyongo was working hard and went close firing a low shot which Stainsby did well to turn around the post. Substitute Michael Pearson then caused the home defence more problems by racing into the area and driving in a cross which the unfortunate David Burton-Jones could only put into his own net.
A debatable goal for the home side came on 82 minutes. What looked like a perfectly timed tackle around 22 yards out by Jordan Wakeling was adjudged to have been reckless and the free kick was awarded with the young defender receiving a yellow card.
Although the decision was a disappointing one not taking into account the very greasy surface the free kick from Burton-Jones was a good one curling into the top corner.
Another disappointing refereeing decision gave Rangers the chance to add to their tally. A ball was not being cleared by Gresley and appeared to hit Wakeling in the face. However, even with none of the opponents appearing to appeal Mr Hart decided that the ball had come off a hand or arm and pointed to the spot. Things were made even worse for the visitors as Wakeling was show a second yellow card followed by a red and the protesting young defender trudged off the pitch.
Burton-Jones took the kick and despite Peet getting a touch on the ball the power was too great and Rangers had added a second goal. Rangers should have reduced the deficit again but a Scott Mooney's poor header from substitute Luis Viera sailed well wide of the gaping goal.
Despite time almost up, Gresley responded superbly by racing up the other end and adding a sixth goal with Mwanyongo getting a deserved goal turning a defender before smashing the ball past Stainsby.
Gresley will now be hoping for a good draw and the chance to play at the Moat in the next round of the FA Cup.
