Match Report  |  Loughborough Dynamo vs Gresley FC

It was a dismal Boxing Day all round for Gresley both on and off the pitch. Gresley’s winless league record now rolls on to 9 and their goals against increasing at an alarming rate shipping in 50 goals from 21 games and made all the more dismal by the very harsh dismissal of young defender Jake McIntosh.

Gary Norton’s team selection was not helped by the late withdrawal of Jordan Nadat who was called back to Walsall Wood on the morning of the game. Norton was also without the injured midfielder Luke Morgan for this local derby.

Despite the somewhat flattering score line for the home side Gresley played well especially in the first half and could have taken the lead on 2 minutes when Martin Smyth met Kane Lee’s cross from the right but planted his header just wide of the near post.

Dynamo took the lead on 8 minutes when Cameron Steele was caught on the ball by former Moatman Alex Steadman over on the left. Steadman strode forward before sending over a cross to the unmarked Karl Demidh on the far post and the prolific striker did not need to be asked twice knocking the ball into the open net.

Smyth had a glimmer of a chance on 15 minutes when he curled a shot goal-ward but home keeper Charlie Taylor dealt with the effort.

Gresley drew level on 20 minutes when Lee fastened on to a flicked header which cleared Luke Foster. The visiting front man took a couple of strides before lobbing the ball over Taylor. It looked as if the ball was heading over the ball but dipped under the bar and into the goal.

Another former Moatman, Ryan Robbins, went close to restoring Dynamo’s lead but he put the low cross wide of the mark at the far post.

The game became scrappy for the final 10 minutes of the half but Gresley went close almost on the half time whistle with Smyth heading James Jepson’s free kick wide of the far post.

Within minutes of the second half starting Gresley keeper Oliver Fairbrother made two very good blocks to deny the Dynamo forwards but on 49 minutes he was beaten by a low shot from Robbins which went in at the near post.

Lee tested Taylor with a well struck shot but a minute later, on 60 minutes, Gresley were reduced to 10 men. A break by Dynamo saw a shot which struck McIntosh on the arm which was in a natural position, but referee Mr Wainman adjudged it to be hand to ball which it clearly was not and much to the anger of Gresley players, management and supporters alike he brandished a very harsh second yellow followed by a red card meaning a very tough final 30 minutes for the Moatmen.

Despite a man down, Gresley went agonisingly close to leveling the score two minutes later. Awarded a free kick 25 yards out Lucas Harrison hit a tremendous shot which beat Taylor only for the ball to hit the bar and bounce away.

Substitute Callum Ridell who replaced Dexter Morris-Clarke warmed the hand of Taylor with a fine volley from the edge of the area. Gresley began to tire as they worked hard to cover all the spaces which Dynamo was now beginning to exploit with their extra man.
A free kick was won by the home side about 22 yards out and Danny Gordon hit a low shot to the right of Gresley’s wall and the ball flew in to the net close to the upright.

The final goal was somewhat controversial. Gresley keeper Fairbrother blocked a shot and appeared to have been fouled as he made the save but the referee allowed play to continue and substitute Corbi Brown duly despatched the rebound. Fairbrother was incensed by the decision so much that he received a yellow card from the official.

Gresley played well despite the score line but the game was soured by some so called Gresley supporters during the match which can only harm the reputation of the club. Let’s hope this sort of behaviour is dealt with sternly by the board.