Evo-Stik NPL League East Division
Yorkshire Payments Stadium, Brighouse
Saturday, 18th August 2018, 3.00pm
First Game Disappointment
Gresley made the long trip to West Yorkshire but the game did not go as planned as they were beaten two-nil by the home side Brighouse Town.
The one thing manager Gary Norton has promised is that his side will show enthusiasm, work-rate and passion and it was certainly seen today by every member of the team despite the score line.
Gresley were missing Kieran O’Connell (family occasion), Callum Riddell and Ryan King (both knee injuries).
The first 15 minutes or so was a cagey affair with neither side making any clear-cut openings but the home side took the lead on 16 minutes.
Gresley failed to clear a ball adequately and it was looped back into the box and after a scramble Tom Robinson was able to stab the ball home from close in.
The game then reverted to what had been seen in the early stages with both defences dealing with any threats.
As the first half drew to an end Gresley had a half chance as Mark Branch swung in a corner form the left and Kane Lee met the ball well but his header was cleared.
Gresley looked much brighter and seemed to be having the better of the second half but they still could not find the missing cutting edge needed to threaten the home defence.
Brighouse went close to doubling their lead on 51 minutes when a well struck shot came back off the bar.
The best effort of the half for the visitors came on 69 minutes when Kane Jellyman turned on the edge of the area and struck a good shot but straight into the midriff of keeper Jordan Porter.
The moment of the game came on 72 minutes. A corner from the left by Ousman Chan picked out a Brighouse player who hit a thunderbolt of a shot which looked a dead cert to end up into the back of Gresley’s net but debutant Jack Livesey made what could only be described as save-of-the-season diving full length to his right to push the ball away from the top corner.
Gresley were still pressing for that elusive goal but were caught out again from a set piece. A corner from the left by Chan picked out Aaron Martin who rose unchallenged to powerfully head the ball past Livesey.
The visitors had one last effort but substitute Cameron Steele saw his shot go high over the bar.
The travelling supporters were quick to show their appreciation for the endeavour of the Gresley players as they left the field at the conclusion of the game with one remarking “we’ll play a lot worse than that and win,” and no-one could really argue with that sentiment.
