Pre-Season Friendly
Owen Street, Coalville
Tuesday, 1st August 2017, 7.45pm
Ravens Edge The Friendly
Gresley made the short journey over the border to Leicestershire to take on Premier Division neighbours Coalville Town.
Manager Damion Beckford-Quailey made changes with Rob Peet replacing young keeper Brendan Bunn and included four trialists in his squad.
Coalville put Gresley under pressure from the off with their number 11 being particularly effective and the put the first attempt on target with a low shot which was straight at Peet.
Gresley had been defending well under pressure and against the run of play they took the lead on 20 minutes. A free kick taken by Tom Manship found Matt Melbourne in the area and his flicked header beat the keeper and went in via the inside of the post.
Colaville's no 11 then took a shot which flew just wide and minutes later Peet did well to block a shot with his legs at the near post. A fiercely hit shot was well held by Peet as Coalville continued to threaten.
Changes were made by both sides at the break and it was the home side who continued from where they left off in the first half but now it was Alex Dean who was creating the most problems for the visitors.
Coalville continued to make chances with a chip over the bar, a shot wide and another shot blocked by Peet.
It was only a matter of time before the pressure would pay off and the goal duly arrived just after the hour mark but it was slightly fortuitous. A move down the right ended with a cross-cum-shot which sailed over the head of Peet and into the top far corner. Seconds later they went close to taking the lead but a shot from distance skimmed the top of the bar.
Coalville didn't have long to wait, however, for the lead. Peet could not hold a well struck low shot from the right and the rebound was fired into the net.
Gresley went close on 77 minutes with the home keeper getting a hand to a header to put it out for a corner. The resultant flag kick came to the edge of the area and headed back into the box where substitute Dexter Morris-Clarke turned and smashed the ball into the roof of the net to level the game.
The visitors seemed to be caught napping as a ball into their area was not dealt with and duly slotted home.
A competitive game was spoiled somewhat when Morris-Clarke's rash attempted tackle saw him sent off.
