Evo-Stik NPL League East Division
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 24th November 2018, 3.00pm
Off Colour Gresley Hang On For A Point
Gresley were left frustrated again as another poor decision, the third in consecutive games at the Moat Ground, from an official led to another goal conceded.
Gresley manager Gary Norton was again without midfielder Dexter Morris Clarke and defender Albert Lansdowne as they served out their suspensions. However, Dominic Allen returned after serving his one match ban.
The match was a poor one overall with neither side taking control especially in the first half. However, Gresley took the lead on 13 minutes. A long kick was flicked on into the path of Kane Lee who beat his marker and slipped the ball past visiting keeper Daniel Swan.
Minutes later Wisbech should have levelled when Toby Hilliard was put through but with only keeper Oliver Fairbrother to beat blazed his shot well over the bar.
Wisbech went close again on 28 minutes when Eoin McQuaid free kick from the right was headed into the side netting at the far post.
Two minutes later Lee had the chance to double his and Gresley’s tally when again he found himself through on goal only to be denied by the out outstretched leg of Swan.
Wisbech levelled on 51 minutes in somewhat controversial circumstances. A long ball was launched forward and clearly handled but the play was allowed to continue, and substitute Michael Frew ran forward and beat Fairbrother.
They say that these decisions even themselves out during a season and if that’s the case then Gresley will be receiving a bucket full very soon!
The game became very scrappy again with neither side having the guile to break through for the next 15 minutes with the only bright spark coming from Wisbech’s Adam Millson hitting a tame shot straight at Fairbrother. Fairbrother then made sure a shot went over getting a fingertip to the ball.
The visitors had a chance to take the lead on 67 minutes with a shot from the right of the area blocked by Fairbrother.
Three minutes later it was the home side who took the lead and the goal was handed to them on a plate. A long kick down field by Fairbrother was totally misjudged by Swan who had come rapidly off his line the resultant fumble was gladly collected by quickly reacting Lee who was able to knock the ball into the empty net for his second of the afternoon.
The lead only lasted 7 minutes as Wisbech once more levelled the scores. A corner from substitute Danny Setchell was headed home by the unmarked McQuaid.
Gresley went so close to grabbing a late winner when substitute Callum Riddell shot from the right appeared to have been tipped onto the face of the bar by Swan.
A poor game by two poor teams ended in what was, in the end, probably a fair result. Gresley must play a lot, lot better next week as they make the ridiculously long journey up to Redcar, Cleveland to face one of the pre-season favourites for the title Marske United.
