Evo-Stik South
Bracken Moor Lane, Stocksbridge, Sheffield
Saturday, 14th October 2017, 3.00pm
Gresley Hold Steels For A Point
Gresley made the long trip to Sheffield and came away with another well-earned share of the points from a top three side in the last six days. Indeed, Gresley were the thickness of a coat of paint from grabbing all three points at the death.
On a day of celebrating Jamie Barrett's 625th and record breaking appearance in a Gresley shirt, the Moatmen played another solid and determined game away from home.
Gresley's Tom Manship was missing serving a one game ban. Ryan Robins was given a start after being delayed on Monday arriving at half time.
The home side was quick out of the blocks with a free kick from the left by Rory Coleman eluding a positive touch at the far post with the ball being steered wide.
Steels went close again on 16 minutes when Joe Lumsden ran through only to be denied by a fine save from Callum Hawkins pushing the ball away to his right.
On 21 minutes the home side took the lead in somewhat fortunate circumstances. Hawkins was quick off his line and attempted to smother the ball. Unfortunately, the ball became loose and although Hawkins made a brave attempt to regather the ball Brodie Litchfield was on hand to poke the it home from close in.
Gresley should have had the chance of levelling on the half hour when Matt Melbourne was brought down by home keeper David Reay. To the anger of Gresley players and fans alike the referee waved away the appeals and after the game said that Melbourne was heading away from the goal obviously not noticing that the keeper grabbed the leg of Melbourne to bring him down!
The visitors continued to put the home side under pressure and a shot from Louis Danquah was fumbled but recovered at the second attempt by David Reay.
More pressure just before the interval saw a good pass from Reeve Morris to Robbins but the striker's shot flashed just past the far post.
Gresley made one change at the break with Lucas Harrison replacing Jamie Barrett who had suffered a slight hamstring injury and Harrison almost made a spectacular impact when he struck a tremendous shot which clattered the near post.
Would Gresley rue that miss? No, they continued to press and push forward and their hard work paid dividends on 70 minutes. Robbins burst into the area only to be felled by Matt Reay. The referee Mr Howard didn't hesitate in awarding the penalty. Robbins took the kick which was saved by the keeper only for the assistant to make the referee aware that David Reay was very nearly on his six-yard line when he made the save so the kick was retaken and this time Robbins made no mistake as he smashed the ball into the net.
Gresley went agonisingly close to grabbing all three points on 90 minutes. Another good build up ended with Melbourne taking a coat of paint off the far post as his shot from the left fizzed across the goal.
