Match Report  |  Gresley Rovers vs Leicester Nirvana

Alfie Burley

Gresley Rovers strung back-to-back victories together for the first time this season with a 3-0 win over rock-bottom Leicester Nirvana.

Steve Hart’s opening volley broke the deadlock in the first-half and settled Rovers down after what had been a nervous start.

The goal gave them a grip on the game, however, and they asserted their control in the second-half, where another goal from Hart, and a late header from Danny Munday sealed all three points.

Despite the ultimate scoreline, Gresley did not have everything their own way in the first 30 minutes, with Leicester Nirvana playing with a confidence that belied their league position.

Alex Morris had to be at the top of his game in the early stages as he slid in to deny Eddie Lee a free shot at goal, but Gresley’s big scare would come after 25 minutes.

After finding space at the back post, Deen Master powered the ball across goal on the volley, to the feet of Lee. The striker, however, could not find a way past Fenney as the goalkeeper recovered superbly to push away the shot.

The visitors would rue that miss, as just six minutes later they fell behind. A mistake whilst playing out from the back was pounced upon by Ryan Seal, and the creative midfielder found Hart with a chipped delivery into the box. As is trademark for the striker, Hart chested the ball down before expertly volleying past Jacob Wood.

With the deadlock broken, Gresley seemed to shake off their earlier struggles in the game, and could have doubled their lead just minutes later when Kane Lee’s centre into the box was spilled by Wood, but Munday could only strike the upright.

Seal also had an opportunity of his own after setting up the first, but after being played through by Hart, his shot was saved by the outstretched leg of Wood in the Nirvana goal.

Nirvana were still pushing, however, and nearly found an equaliser when Suhaib Gannan burst through down the left of the box, but Fenney was equal to his effort - parrying the ball away to safety.

The second half started much more calmly than the first ended, with neither side finding any rhythm early on, but Rovers were doing a much better job at controlling the game.

It was the home side who had the first opportunity of the second period when a darting run from George Clark out of defence, led to the full-back sliding Munday through on the left, but the
striker was denied by another good save from Wood.

All the chances were coming Gresley’s way, and Hart nearly grabbed his second of the game when Munday’s flick-on found him inside the box. His first-time volley was well-struck, but flew just inches wide of the near post.

A rare second-half save from Fenney was needed as the goalkeeper pushed away a free-kick from Master, but with just nine minutes left on the clock Rovers would get their second.

Ryan Seal was the architect as he rolled a free-kick along the floor to Hart. Inside the box, the striker held off his marker using his physicality before turning and finding the bottom corner stunning the Nirvana defence with his athleticism.

Munday nearly made it three in stoppage time when Louis Briscoe sent him through on goal, but Wood did well to tip his effort over the crossbar. One minute later, though, he was not to be
denied.

Brilliant work from Seal in the corner to try and kill the game off earned Rovers one last corner kick. A quick delivery into the box was perfect for Munday who guided his header past Wood, deservedly getting himself on the scoresheet and rounding off what could have been a difficult afternoon for Rovers.