Match Report  |  South Normanton Athletic vs Gresley FC

This was not a game for the purists as both defences largely cancelled out any real attempt on goal.

Gresley were short of several players with Matt Roome, Kieran O’Connell, Eric Graves, Alex Steadman, Martin Smyth and Zach Evans all absent for various reasons.

Attempts on goal were at a premium in the first half but it was South Normanton who went closest when a cross-cum-shot from Oliver Cox came back off the bar.

Albert Lansdowne had a half chance but he headed Lucas Harrison’s corner from the left over the bar before Dominic Allen tested the Shiners keeper Curtis Hall. A high ball into the box seemed to be heading over the bar but dipped causing Hall to tip the ball over the bar.

Some bitty officiating made the game a stop-start game. However, most of the niggly decisions from the referee were going against the visitors which was annoying the Gresley players.

To be honest, the second half was not much better than the first with the official continuing to penalise most of the tackling.

The home side went close again on 53 minutes. A free kick from the left was headed against the bar and minutes later yet another free kick produced one of the few attempts on goal, but John King’s shot was a lame affair which was easily dealt with by keeper Ben Allsop.

Gresley went close with substitute Josh Garland firing Allen’s free kick from the right into the side netting. A cross from Mark Branch was met by Lansdowne but the header was held by Hall.

Perhaps one of the only correct decisions by the referee came on 79 minutes when substitute Jake McIntosh’s rash tackle in the area saw the official point to the spot and hand out a yellow card. Tom Lewis took the kick but Allsop, diving to his left made a fine save to keep the score level.

Gresley had several on target chances as the game drew to a close. Cameron Steele hit a long range shot straight at Hall. Steele then tried again but this time he curled his shot from the left just past the far post. The final attempt came from Luke Morgan but again the shot went straight into the midriff of Hall.