Evo-Stik South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 23rd September 2017, 3.00pm
Robbins Sees Red As Gresley Falter Again
Dave Hackett
If you score three goals at home you should have done enough to have earned some reward but, sadly a vastly improved display offensively was overshadowed by their defensive shortcomings.
As expected Gresley boss Damian Beckford-Quailey made four changes in starting personnel from the side that under achieved at Romulus in midweek.
With skipper Jamie Barrett unavailable Matt Roome took over the captains armband. Sean Phillips returned to midfield in place of Jason Law who was named amongst the Gresley substitutes.
Church Gresley youngster Tom Hammerton made his debut in a back three of Roome and Acer Wake who was making his home debut.
However, the most significant change saw the released Charlie Wolfe replaced by Ryan Robbins who enjoyed an eventful debut which included an assist, debut goal, yellow card and culminated with a red card in stoppage time after assistant referee Peter Crowe informed referee Simon Brown that he had seen the much travelled striker elbow visiting keeper Phil McGann in a crowded box which must have contained some 18 players as the Moatmen chased a last gasp equaliser in the fourth of six minutes stoppage time.
Gresley were dealt a massive blow prior to the kick-off when Matt Melbourne their outstanding player in a disappointing start to the season suffered slight concussion in the pre-match warm—up.
Melbourne's injury earned Courtney Meade a late reprieve with the Jekyll and Hyde striker showing more in the opening ten minutes than he had done in 45 minutes which prompted his interval substitution at Romulus.
Meade carved out a 4th minute opening for the returning Jon Stevenson whose low drive was parried away before being clawed to safety at the second attempt by McGann.
Then after collecting Reece Morris pass cut back from the bye-line Meade fired over from 20yards.
The Moatmen's enterprising start was rewarded on 18 minutes. Phillips right-wing cross picked out Robbins whose header rebounded out off the far post before being swept home by Louis Danquart.
Danquart became the first of three Gresley players to be cautioned for kicking the ball away before Hammerton swept Rob Norris free-kick to safety.
Lincoln drew level in the 37th minute when Roome only partially cleared Ryan Oliver's right-wing cross as far as Jack Wightwick who comfortably beat Rob Peet from 12 yards.
Provider Wightwick almost turned creator with the pass that enabled Jack McGovern to place a first time effort wide.
Either side of the interval Gresley had opportunities to regain the lead. Morris cutting in from the right saw his shot deflected over by Andy Toyne before Robbins was denied a shooting opportunity by visiting skipper Phil Watt.
Gresley made a double substitution at the interval with Lucas Harrison replacing Stevenson and Jason Law replacing Phillips.
Having fastened onto Peet's long kick Robbins shrugged off Scott Matthews before placing his shot beyond the far post.
Somewhat against the run of play it was Lincoln who went ahead on 50 minutes.
Cutting in from the left McGovern went past three players far too easily before playing the ball inside for Oliver to provide a routine finish.
It took the Moatmen just four minutes to level with Meade's right-wing cross picking out an unmarked Law to beat McGann from 15 yards.
The visitors took the initiative with two goals in five minutes. Toyne beat Peet with a 22yard free-kick that appeared to take a deflection on its way into the bottom corner.
Lincoln made it 4-2 when Watt's cross was met by Norris to score with a close-range header.
It took Melbourne barely a minute to make an impact after replacing Zak Hill. Cutting the ball back from the bye-line Melbourne rolled the ball back into the path of Robbins who comprehensively beat McGann.
If nothing else Robbins goal set up a grandstand finish. Twice within as many minutes McGann rescued his side to deprive Gresley of a deserved equaliser. Morris skilfully manufactured an opening for Robbins who was denied by the keeper before Melbourne closing in could force home.
McGann foiled Melbourne again before Danquart headed Law's cross wide at the far post.
