FA Cup 2nd Round Qualifying Replay
Zeeco Stadium, Stamford
Tuesday, 20th September 2016, 7.45pm
Gresley's Cup Run Come To An End
It was a disappointing end to Gresley's FA Cup run as they lost at the home of Stamford in the 2nd round qualifying by a single goal scored with just two minutes remaining of the second half. Extra time looked a distinct possibility until a ball which was not cleared by the visiting defence only for the Daniels to stab it home after three attempts.
Gresley manager Damion Beckford-Quailey shuffled his side from that which drew at the Moat Ground on Saturday. Josh Egginton, Jamie Barrett and Michael Pearson started in place of Ryan Walker, Eddy Samba and Toby Fura who all took a place on the bench.
The home side kept the same starting eleven and employed the same high long ball which was seen in the first game but it was Gresley who had the first chance when Courtney Meade warmed the palms of home keeper Paul Bastock who parried the stinging shot out to Tendi Chitzia who unfortunately fired the rebound wide.
A minute later Gresley keeper Rob Peet had to be alert to a low 25-yard free kick from Jake Duffy pushing the ball away to his right for a corner.
Stamford should have been in front on 22 minutes. A corner curled in from the right was headed on by Kern Miller and looked to be heading into the top far corner of the net until his team mate Tom Batchelor got his head on it sending the ball over the bar.
Stamford were applying pressure and had another glorious chance 10 minutes later when a cross from the right found Elliot Sandy at the far post but with the goal at his mercy could only loop the ball over the bar.
For Gresley Reece Morris was causing problems for the home defence and went close cutting in from the right before hitting the side netting with his shot.
Peet was needed again making a comfortable save from John King and King was threatening again just before the break racing down the left but blazing his shot well over the bar.
Within five minutes of the second half Stamford thought they'd taken the lead but their celebrations were curtailed by the raised flag of the assistant referee.
Gresley were finding it tough trying to deal with the long high ball and Peet was by far the busier of the two keepers saving a shot from Sam Hill. Stamford substitute Ollie Brown-Hill went close firing just over the bar within a couple of minutes of replacing Sandy.
Brown-Hill's work in the area paid dividends 10 minutes later when Matt Roome brought him down giving the referee Mr Humphries no option but to award the spot kick. Jevani Brown took the kick but was thwarted by Peet who chose the correct way to dive pushing the kick away.
Peet did well again on 84 minutes this time saving Hill's shot on the turn. However, he couldn't do anything to prevent the winning goal four minutes later with extra time looming.
Gresley couldn't clear the danger in their own area and after two attempts which were blocked Hill managed to stab the ball through the packed area and into the net.
It was a blow for the visitors but on reflection the right result as over the two games Stamford deserved their win and a trip to take on AFC Mansfield in the next round.
