Match Report  |  Gresley FC vs Coventry United

Gresley frustrated high-flying Coventry United with a gritty performance to claim a point after being reduced to ten men just after half-time.

The sending off of Kyle Batchelor just after the half-time interval had given the away side the advantage but a gutsy defensive display ensured that Gresley did not come up empty handed in a goalless draw.

In truth the game was relatively devoid of much goalmouth action particularly in a scrappy opening period. Kyle Batchelor tried his luck from the left wing early on but it was comfortably saved by Reece Francis.

Gresley were probably the better of the two sides in the opening action, holding the ball well. However, they just couldn’t find that final bit of quality.

With the Moatmen not taking advantage of their early dominance, the away side fought back into the game and started peppering the Gresley goal. Matt Gardner had a low 20 yard drive pushed away whilst Jake McIntosh did superbly to deny Lewis Ison with a fantastic block.

After a dismal first half, the second period burst into life when the away side nearly took the lead. A neat through ball found Jake Holt who shot towards goal, however, Hammerton came off his line and dealt with the danger superbly snuffing out the opportunity.

Unfortunately for Gresley, they were given seemingly a mountain to climb when they were reduced to ten men. Kyle Batchelor put a halt to a run by Matt Gardner through the centre, only to be shown a red card controversially by the referee. Despite it being just inside Gresley’s own half and with defenders on the cover the referee was adamant.

Aggrieved by the decision Gresley worked extremely hard to limit United, and they succeeded in this task. Half-chances from O’Sullivan and Ison were easily held by Hammerton, whilst a great block from Jake McIntosh denied the away side.

The Moatmen could’ve even snatched an unlikely three points when Louis Briscoe raced through, however, the striker could only slice wide of the goal.

With the game nearing an end, predictably the away side put the Gresley defence under intense pressure. In the 89th minute Hammerton had to get down well at his near post before Lewis Ison’s shot was deflected wide by the excellent Exodus Geohaghon.

It wasn’t the last action from the Gresley goalkeeper though as he did extremely well to hold onto O’Sullivan’s first time strike.

Ultimately, however, Gresley held on for a valuable point which sees them narrow the gap to Lye Town to just two points setting up next week’s fixture when the two sides meet in Lye.