Match Report  |  Haughmond vs Gresley FC

Gresley remain rooted at the bottom of the Midland Football League after a disappointing defeat at fellow strugglers Haughmond.

Both sides looked as if neither wanted to lose the game this vital game and the first half was one of few good chances on a superb playing surface.

Gresley manager Dave McDermott shuffled his side which included new striker Adam Skeldon. However, the hope of him playing alongside Nehemia Zazi were dashed when Zazi decided to join Coleshill Town during the week.

There was a familiar face on the bench with Lucas Harrison re-joining the club.

Both sides found it difficult to create any meaningful chances and the first 15 minutes or so became very scrappy and evident of where both sides reside in the league table.

Gresley went close with Skeldon firing wide of the far post and two minutes later Sam Pilkington was put through into the area but after getting the better of home keeper Sam Jones could only look on as his shot was cleared off the line. Gresley had their own scare on 27 minutes when Sam Pilkington also had to clear a shot off the line.

Play was end to end but was breaking down in the final third. However, a ball was played through for Sam Phillips to run onto after beating the Gresley back line but Ben Allsop was quick off his line to snuff out any danger.

Just before the break, Gresley were awarded a free kick 22 yards out. Skeldon took the kick but his shot fizzed past the near post.
The first half ended with Scott Rylan hitting a low shot which Allsop easily dealt with.

At the start of the second half, Joe Haines was replaced by Harrison and his presence began to cause problems for Haughmond down the left but again Gresley could not capitalise on the pressure.

A cross from the left was met by Skeldon but his header was saved by Jones. Jordan Fitzpatrick’s shot from distance flew wide followed a couple of minutes later with Skeldon going closer with his free kick but still over the bar.

Gresley should have fell behind on the hour mark when a cross from the right found Steve Hole in acres of space but he skied his shot so high over the bar that it flew onto the roof of the building 50 yards behind the top goal!

Haughmond were beginning to get on top with Sam Phillips hooking a shot over the bar while at the other end Skeldon had his effort saved by Jones.

On 72 minutes the home side made two changes and one of them, Christian Oldham turned the game decisively in his side’s favour.

The game looked odds on to end in a scoreless draw but on 82 minutes Rylan put a cross to the far post. The ball should have been cleared by the Gresley defence but in the ensuing scramble Oldham somehow managed to get the ball into the net despite Allsop’s efforts to prevent it.

Haughmond’s second goal was a poor one to concede. Gresley were pressing to try and get something out of the game but super sub Oldham’s goal three minutes from time destroyed any hopes of Gresley redeeming themselves.

After this game Gresley find themselves cut adrift of the side just above them by four points. They need to start to take the chances they create sooner rather than later or they will be in for a huge struggle to get away from the bottom of the league.