Match Report  |  Gresley FC vs Kidsgrove Athletic

Credit must be given to the ground staff for getting this game on after yesterday's downpour which continued into the early hours of this morning. Although the surface was a little soft it was perfectly playable.

This wasn't a game for the purists but there were glimpses of some decent football played by both sides. This was a game of grit and determination that was hardly evident previously and it paid dividends as Gresley fought back from a goal down midway through the first half and losing the services of their goalkeeper Rob Peet immediately after conceding the goal.

Gresley manager Damion Beckford-Quailey kept the same starting eleven keeping faith in them although suffering a heavy defeat at Lincoln on Saturday.

The first 20 minutes or so were quite scrappy with Courtney Meade firing a shot on the turn wide and Daniel Skelton firing a low shot straight at keeper Peet for the visitor.

Kidsgrove took the lead on 22 minutes and it was an expensive goal not only for slipping behind but also resulting in the loss of Peet. Kidsgrove made a good move down the right and was finished by Harry Clayton who hit a well struck shot which Peet spilled and the ball squirmed over the line despite desperate efforts to keep it out.

Unfortunately, Peet had suffered a dislocated finger, which required a trip to hospital, and was replaced by defender Lucas Harrison with Jordan Wakeling coming on to complete the back line.

Pearson Mwanyongo went close for the Moatmen but his shot at the near post was blocked by visiting keeper Harry Pickering. The rebound came out to Leandro Browne but his shot went wide of the far post.

With the first half rapidly drawing to an end, Jamie Barrett was needed to make a last-ditch block to stop Kidsgrove from extending their lead. The corner came to nothing but then a long kick from Harrison found Mwanyongo deep in the top corner. He managed to keep the ball away from Tom Morris's close attention before curling a luscious curling shot over Pickering to level the scores almost on the whistle to draw the first half to a close.

Meade was replaced at the break by Matt Melbourne and his presence had the desired effect as he assisted in Gresley taking the lead.

After making a good run down the right, Melbourne put in an inviting cross into the opposition where Tendai Chitiza racing in dived full length to powerfully head the ball past Pickering.

Tom Morris went close for the visitors making a good run into the area but putting his final shot into the side netting.

Ryan Walker then had a goal bound shot deflected for a corner. Gresley were pressing forcing two corners and free kicks which were well defended.

At the other end Anthony Melbon did well to get himself into a good position but he ended the move smashing his shot into the side netting.

Melbourne was proving a hand-full for the visitors and a through ball sent him racing towards goal but the keeper got a hand to the ball forcing him wide. He managed to slip the ball back to Mwanyongo whose first time shot skewed wide.

Harrison then did well to punch away a deep ball into his area and eventually the ball went downfield to Mwanyongo who hit a volley which flashed wide of the far post.

With seconds remaining of the game Kidsgrove went extremely close to grabbing a share of the points when free lick on the right resulted in Leon Ashman back heeling the ball but fractionally wide of the far post.