Pre-Season Friendly
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Thursday, 20th July 2017, 7.30pm
Dutton's Double Set The Moatmen Up For The Win
Gresley took on two youthful Burton Albion sides with the visitors fielding a completely different side for the second half in front of a decent crowd at the Moat Ground.
Manager Damion Beckford-Quailey was short of first team players due to holidays and injuries so others were given the chance with reserve team striker Josh Dutton making the most of his opportunity scoring two excellent goals.
Albion took the lead with a cleverly worked goal. A free kick from 25 yards out on the left was expected to be aimed at the goal but instead was steered towards the far post were James Harrison stole in around the back of the defenders to slot the ball home.
Gresley came back and levelled on 23 minutes with arguably the best goal of the game when Dutton made a run down the left before lifting a shot over the head of the Albion keeper Fairbrother and into the far corner of the net.
Minutes later Lucas Harrison forced Fairbrother into a fine save as he parried a thunderous shot at the near post. Bassett then went close for the visitors curling his shot from the left just wide of the post.
The Brewers regained the lead just before the break with another well-crafted move. Some slick inter passing in the build-up ended with Tristan Matthews firing home from just inside the area.
Three minutes into the second half Gresley drew level again. Harrison slung over his free kick to the far post and Jamie Barrett rose above the defenders to head home.
Matt Melbourne then had a good header held by the second half replacement Albion keeper Hawkins.
Melbourne went close again this time heading over from a corner and followed this up moments later with a well struck low shot which Hawkins did well to hold on to.
Burton went inches from regaining the lead when Conlon got the better of the Gresley defence down the left but his shot ended up going wide of the far post.
The third Gresley goal was another good one again from Dutton, A fabulous ball from Harrison in midfield sent Dutton in on goal and the young striker kept his composure and coolly slotted the ball past the onrushing Hawkins.
As the game began to come to the final minutes Melbourne went close yet again when he turned a defender in the area but his low shot was well gathered by Hawkins diving full length to his right.
The lively Melbourne had the last attempt for the Moatmen when Toby Fura picked him out with a good pass. Melbourne struck it well but Hawkins managed to parry the ball away with his fists.
Burton went close two grabbing a late equaliser when Dowd raced down the right only to fire his shot, from inside the area, into the side netting.
Another good work out for Gresley against two talented young Burton sides.
