Evo-Stik NPL League East Division
Recreation Club, Mill Lane, Malton Rd, Pickering
Saturday, 6th October 2018, 3.00pm
Gresley Manage To Hang On For The Points
Gresley made the long journey to Pickering but in the end, it was worth all the miles as they claimed all three points but had to suffer what Sir Alex Ferguson called “squeaky bum time” as The Pikes came back into the game with two quick goals that made for a frantic final 15 minutes or so.
Gresley manager Gary was down to the bare bones with Jamie Barrett (family reasons), Alex Steadman (unavailable), Dexter Morris-Clark, Matt Roome, Zakim Evans and Jack Livesey (all injured) missing for the trip. However, he did see the return of Martin Smyth who missed the midweek game against Stamford.
Harry Lansdowne was handed his full debut with Connor Ward and Josh Garland all added to the bench alongside Callum Riddell, Albert Lansdowne and Jake McIntosh.
Players were also asked to play in positions unfamiliar to them especially in defence.
Within a minute of the start Gresley created a half chance with Kane Lee firing a low shot straight at home keeper Charlie Andrew.
Almost immediately at the other end Pickering went close but Gresley stopper Oliver Fairbrother was on top form diving to his right to push away Joe Danby’s powerful header from Ged Dalton’s corner for another corner.
The home side were using the wind and the slope of the pitch to their full advantage and went close with Billy Logan firing a shot across the face of Gresley’s goal which fortunately took a slight deflection for a corner. From the resultant flag kick Fairbrother was able to deny the home side making another good save.
Yet another good corner by Lewis Taylor found a home player who could only plant his unchallenged header wide from a good position.
More pressure from the home side saw them go close again on 12 minutes but Danby fired his effort from the right into the side netting.
How Gresley continued to survive this onslaught was a mystery but they were aided by some profligate work up front from Pickering. This time a well worked free kick from the right from Taylor saw the ball flighted over the Gresley defence to George Bissett who in turn flicked it on with his head to Logan who was in a great position in the centre of Gresley’s box but he somehow headed the ball wide of the far post.
It had taken half an hour for Gresley to settle into the game but they did and forced three consecutive corners which came to nothing.
On 32 minutes Lee forced himself into the hosts’ area and hit a fierce shot which Andrew did well to block at his near post. Two more corners were won but again came to nothing.
Another set piece from Pickering almost paid dividends but again they wasted a golden opportunity as Turnbull headed Taylor’s corner wide.
Pickering were threatening to end the first half in front but this time Kane Jellyman managed to clear a shot off the line.
Against the run of play Gresley took the lead on the stroke of halftime. Lee collected the ball and strode strongly towards the Pikes’ area before hitting a shot which took a deflection wrong footing Andrew and into the bottom corner of the net.
Gresley doubled their advantage on 54 minutes when Lee was dragged to the ground by Eddie Cass with referee Ms Conley immediately pointing to the spot. Martin Smyth scored despite Andrew choosing the right way to dive and getting a strong hand to the ball.
Four minutes later a woefully short ball back to Andrew was latched onto by Kieran O’Connell who beat the keeper to the ball before rolling the ball into the net despite a valiant effort to get back to clear the ball by a couple of home defenders.
Gresley seemed to be home and dry and cruising but Pickering had other ideas showing they hadn’t given up the cause by firing just wide of the near post.
Pickering got a goal back on 70 minutes when Danby’s shot from distance flew through a ruck of players in the area beating Fairbrother.
Gresley went close to regaining their three goal margin as Lee made a good run into the area but Andrews pushed the ball away for a corner.
Another goal for the hosts on 74 minutes by Josh Greening lead to a frantic final fifteen minutes for Gresley who had Fairbrother to thank for making several good saves to prevent Pickering from grabbing a share of the spoils which arguably they deserved.
Deep into time added on Gresley had the final chance of the game. Cameron Steele made a good run from his own half but his final shot was comfortably dealt with by Andrew.
The final whistle came as some relief for Gresley players and supporters alike as they had survived the considerable pressure from Pickering in the final third of the game to take a welcome three points all the way back to South Derbyshire.
