Match Report  |  Loughborough Students vs Gresley Rovers

Gresley Rovers FA Vase journey came to an end on Saturday afternoon, losing 2-0 to Loughborough Students in the second round proper.

Level at the break, second-half goals from Kieran Smith and Tope Fadahunsi gave the hosts the victory, who will find out who they face in the next round on Monday.

Gresley struggled to test Ben Whiting in the Loughborough net during the cup tie, failing to score in a match for the first time since August 21.

Loughborough started well, keeping possession as well as restricting the Gresley frontline, and could have taken the lead after forcing Lewis Fenney into a mistake. Pressing from the front, Fadahunsi disposed the ‘keeper.

Squaring the ball to Cameron Moore after being forced out wide, Fenney made up for his mistake, blocking the effort out for a corner.

Gresley struggled to create shooting opportunities, with their first shot coming just past the 20-minute mark. Tackling Finn Brenan on the right wing, George Clark powered towards goal before striking the ball low into the gloves of Whiting, who made a routine save.

Despite their free-scoring form in the league, both sides struggled to create chances, with the ball into the final third either being cleared away or fly out for a goal kick.

Limited chance creation in the first-half, Loughborough went inches away from scoring the first goal of the game on the brink of the break. Receiving the ball on the right wing, Fadahunsi’s ball across the box found Moore, but his lofted effort from close range went over Fenney, looping onto the top of the net.

Having the better of the chances out of the two sides, Loughborough took the lead nine minutes into the second half. An in-swinging ball evaded the Gresley backline, finding an unmarked Smith at the back post. Having the goal at his mercy, Smith fired low beyond Fenny, leaving the ‘keeper no chance.

The Rovers’ looked the better side after conceding, with their move to the three-at-the-back system just past the hour making the difference once again.

Cutting in from the left, Danny Munday’s tame effort from the edge of the box deflected off Izak Reid. Rolling into the opposite corner to which Munday originally aimed the ball, Ben Whiting sprang across the goal to make the save.

Looking from dangerous from set-pieces, the Rovers had two opportunities in quick succession. Whipped in from the corner by Ryan Seal, the captain found Munday, who headed over from just a yard out.

Soon after, it was then Mason Frizelle who latched onto a ball in by Seal, but he directed the ball wide of the post.

Pushing for the equaliser, Gresley conceded a late second. Combining throughout the match, Fadahunsi and Moore did so once again to confirm Loughborough’s place in the next round. Beating Clark on the left, Moore pulled the ball back to the striker, who was free in the centre of the box. First time, Fadahunsi shot the ball across the ‘keeper into the bottom corner.

Defeat for the Moatmen put an end to their 15-game unbeaten streak in all competitions, winning 13, with their last defeat coming against Leek Town in the FA Cup.