Evo-Stik South
Harrison Park, Leek
Saturday, 14th April 2018, 3.00pm
Gresley Grind Out A Vital Win
It been mentioned many times before that following Gresley is a roller coaster affair and after the deepest of lows on Thursday this game was a high.
Gresley had to field players who shouldn’t have been playing due to injuries and were missing Jamie Barrett (work commitments) and Alvin Jarvis (suspended) but full credit to every player they put 100 percent in and whereas they seem to disappear on Thursday their work rate and commitment today was exemplary for the whole 90 minutes. Yes, to be honest, at tomes they rode their luck but for once the luck went Gresley’s way.
After Thursday’s debacle those travelling faithful who went to Harrison Park could easily be forgiven for expecting another drubbing at a ground where we haven’t picked up any points since 2012 and with Leek having an outside chance of grabbing a play-off place.
On a beautiful warm sunny afternoon on the edge of the Peak District Gresley were under the cosh from the start with Tim Grice’s looping header being held by keeper Callum Hawkins after just 6 minutes. The home side went close again four minutes later when a deep cross from the left was headed into the side netting by Robert Stevenson.
More intense pressure saw Grice go close twice minutes later. The first when he latched onto a through ball splitting the Gresley defence but after lobbing the advancing Hawkins saw his effort come back off the bar. Perhaps his second chance was the easiest putting his shot somehow wide of the far post.
Gresley began to settle and took the lead with their first shot on goal. On 26 minutes Reece Morris made good progress into the Leek area and with his way blocked laid the ball back to Oliver Bassett who drove a low shot into the net by the near post.
Leek hit back almost immediately forcing a corner but another chance went begging as Dan Trickett-Smith headed over.
At the other end Matt Melbourne picked out Bassett but this time the youngsters shot went straight at home keeper Daniel Roberts.
More chances went begging for Leek with Robert Stevenson firing well over the bar, Jordan Johnson having the ball taken off his toe just before he unleashed a shot from close in. But it was Hawkins who denied Leek another decent chance by pushing away a good cross from Grice before it could be capitalised on.
Gresley were defending well with Lady Luck helping them at times as a free header from Stevenson clattered the base of the far post with the follow-up well saved by Hawkins.
On 76 minutes it was Gresley’s turn to hit the woodwork. Substitute Courtney Meade, on for Bassett, made a good run down the left before firing a dipping shot which beat Roberts but not the bar. The ball came back out to him and this time he fired a low shot just wide of the far post.
Gresley had to play the final ten minutes or so with effectively 10 men as Dexter Morris-Clarke had been injured leaving him limping and pushed up front as a nuisance factor as all the substitutes had been used - a sign of the determination the visitors had of holding on to their lead.
Leek had one final chance on 85 minutes but yet again it went begging as Trickett-Smith headed wide from a good position.
A good three points which leaves Gresley needing just one more win from their final 7 games to ensure they keep clear of the one relegation place.
