Northern Premier League Midlands
The Moat Ground
Tuesday, 18th October 2022, 7.45pm
Scholars Beaten At The Moat
By Adam Cockerill
A Michael Williams' second half strike earned Gresley Rovers a vital three points at the Moat Ground against a tricky Chasetown.
The first half was back and forth and with high intensity but with no real quality in front of goal.
However, the second half began brilliantly for the Moatmen as Williams found the back of the net 10 minutes into the second half and afterwards a defensive unity earned the win.
The first half opened with a frantic 10 minutes with end to end football.
Jordan Gough had the first chance of the game when his free kick on the edge of the box just whistled past the bar.
Former player Jack Langston nearly came back to haunt Rovers as his 25 yard shot balloons off the crossbar and out of play.
Another chance came for The Scholars as Luke Yates finds his way into the box but was unable to convert his volley.
Nice one two between George Clark and Ellis Evans finds Kane Lee whose cross met a Chasetown body, as Gresley stamped their authority in the game.
Minutes later Kieran Wells made a darting run past Chasetown’s centre halves and found himself on the end of a Clark long ball but could only drag his shot wide.
Daniel O’Callaghan on the stroke of half time nearly opened the scoring against the run of play as his snapshot went past Lewis Fenney’s post.
Second half started the same as the first as both sides looked for the opening goal without creating a real clear cut chance.
First chance in the second half fell to the away side as Mitchell Botfield dragged his wide.
10 minutes into the second half the Moatmen grabbed the first goal and deservedly so.
Keiron Berry floated a corner onto the edge of the box which was not cleared by Chasetown and the ball fell to Williams whose half volley was too powerful for Curtis Pond to stop and nestled into the bottom corner.
Chasetown started taking the game to Gresley as they searched for an equaliser but Gresley were holding strong and not allowing much to trouble Fenney.
Clark stopped a certain goal with 10 minutes to go as he made a last ditch tackle on O’Callaghan following the Chasetown captain nipping in front of Fenney.
Two moments of madness in the dying embers of the game as Langston delivers a corner that hits the cross bar followed by another ball put in the box straight after from the other side with Fenney scrambling to the back post to punch clear of any trouble.
In the last seconds of the game Berry had the chance to seal the three points as he found himself through on goal following substitute Adam Garmson’s smart flick on but Pond denied him from close range.
Manager's View
Carl Abbot and Paul Tomlinson could not hold back their elation following Tuesday night’s victory against a tough Chasetown side.
Gresley Rovers now have three wins in their last four matches, jumping up to 11th place in the league.
Gresley assistant manager, Tomlinson, expressed his delight with momentum building for The Moatmen.
Tomlinson said: “It sends out a mark to other sides in this division to say we’re not a bad side.
“We can hold our own against the top sides and if it’s a physical battle I’ll back us against any side.”
Chasetown was a tough competitor for Abbot’s side but a strong defensive effort pulled Gresley across the line, ending the game with a well-deserved clean sheet.
Abbot said: “In both halves Chasetown started very well, we did gain some control and got the goal and then it was our back against the wall job and we defended really well!
“The boys have worked so hard all season and we’re not a pleasure to play against when we’re in that type of mood.
“We were really determined and I’m really proud of how we played tonight.
“We have probably conceded too many goals [this season] for how capable we are defensively.
“Defensively we are very strong, physically we look after ourselves well, we’re quick so we can take a high line.”
Tomlinson added: “They were a good side, a strong side.
“They’re well established, well coached, and they will be up there [league table] by the end of the season in the playoff spots.
“We’ve been able to match everything they’ve thrown at us.
“I wouldn’t say it was comfortable for 90 minutes. They’ve had to put balls in the box to make it uncomfortable but with a clean sheet against a top side.
“That’s a great achievement tonight and a great performance. A cracking three points!”
Gresley head off to Bedworth United this weekend with Rovers looking to carry on their great form with another three points to bring back to The Moat Ground.
Words by Luke Nurden
