Evo-Stik South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Thursday, 19th April 2018, 7.45pm
Three Points Ensure Gresley's Safety
Gresley manager again made changes for the third game this week. In came Harry Hughes, Lucas Harrison, Ryan Clemson, Alvin Jarvis (who had completed his 3-game ban), Connor Ward and Josh Dutton.
Kane Lee played his third game in four days and Zack Hill was given a start having been on the bench for Tuesday’s game at Loughborough.
Missing from the line-up was Courtney Meade, Josh Egginton and Dexter Morris-Clarke who are all doubtful for the rest of the remaining games. Danny Quinn (holiday) and Oliver Bassett (knee) were also missing.
Despite all the changes both sides played out an entertaining game with some of the supporters suggesting it was one of the most entertaining they’d seen this season.
On 11 minutes Carlton had a good chance to take the lead when the home defence got caught by the speed of Tyler Blake but he was denied by Gresley keeper Callum Hawkins, who made the first of some outstanding saves throughout the game, by getting the faintest of touches to a well struck shot sending it away for a corner.
Lee was continuing his fine form by feeding the ball to Matt Melbourne who fired narrowly wide, while at the other end Joe Sheekey was hitting a shot straight at Hawkins.
However, a few seconds later Carlton took the league as Blake capitalised on a mistake in the home defence to run forward unchallenged to score despite Hawkins racing off his line.
Dutton went close for Gresley forcing a good save from visiting keeper Jack Steggles who claimed the ball down at the base of his near post.
Gresley drew level on 26 minutes. A long ball down the middle saw Melbourne race forward and beat the advancing keeper to head home.
Pearson Mwanyongo, having the best game since returning to the club, brought out another fine save from Steggles who tipped a well struck shot over the bar.
Carlton went close on the half-hour, but a goal bound shot was well blocked in the area by Clemson with the ball flying over the bar.
Gresley took the lead just before the break with a well taken goal. Awarded a corner from the right, Mwanyongo sent the ball into the box with pace and Lee, with the deftest of touches, slotted the ball home for his first senior goal for the club.
The home side were finding the pace of Blake a challenge and he was again in on goal, but Hawkins denied him this time with a good block.
Pearson then fired a shot at the keeper as Gresley began to threaten. Hughes made a good run down the right and whipped in a cross which was inches away for the head of the diving Lee.
Pearson threatened again, this time he cut in from the right and unleashed a ferocious shot which Steggles did well to punch away. The ball was sent into the area where Connor Ward had his shot blocked but Melbourne was on hand to force the ball home from close in.
A good move down the left saw another superb save from Hawkins. Substitute Mamoke Akaunu raced forward and hit a stinging low shot but Hawkins got down quickly to push the ball past his near post.
Melbourne made a good run through the middle, but his final shot went just wide of the upright. The play switched to the opposite end and another good save from Hawkins prevented Daniel Elliott from getting on the scoresheet.
With normal time up Carlton managed to reduce the deficit with the help of a Gresley defender who tripped a visiting player in the area and referee Mr Cattell made the easy decision and pointed to the spot where Balke sent Hawkins the wrong way for his second goal of the game.
The three points ensured that Gresley’s membership of the Evo-Stik league is now safe.
