Match Report  |  Dereham Town vs Gresley Rovers

Gresley Rovers suffered a fourth consecutive defeat as Dereham Town took the points in Norfolk.

A superb volley from Ryan Swift midway through the first half gave the home side the advantage, and despite Gresley’s best efforts a late second was the final nail in their coffin.

Following their pair of losses to Sporting Khalsa, and exiting the Trophy to Long Eaton United, this marked yet another match where Rovers failed to find the net.

This would prove to be the theme of the match as Gresley were made to rue their missed opportunities.

Rovers started the game on the front foot and fashioned out the first big chance of the match when Kieran Wells nodded goalwards whilst unmarked in the box but could only direct his effort over the bar.

It was an exciting contest in the opening stages, and when Kane Lee’s shot was blocked in front of goal, Dereham countered and nearly broke through, but Luke Johnson’s daisy-cutter drifted just wide.

In the 23rd minute, Rovers should’ve taken the lead. A free kick towards the back post was nodded back across goal by Wells, with the loose ball falling to Alex Morris but the defender couldn’t make a sweet enough connection, allowing a covering Dereham defender to clear off the line.

Dereham’s main source of chances was coming from the right-hand side and their marauding full-back Johnson. Once again, he was involved as he escaped down the right and forced Lewis Fenney into a good save at his near post.

Just a couple minutes later Gresley came close once again, this time Jazz Luckie only managing to strike the upright as he slid in to try and convert Wells’ centre.

Yet, these missed opportunities would come back to haunt Rovers as they fell behind in the 35th minute when Swift produced an outstanding volley to find the top corner after a set piece had been cleared to him at the edge of the box.

The home side nearly went two ahead before the break, but Gresley were relieved to see Swift’s shot rise over the crossbar from inside the 18-yard box.

After the break Gresley came out determined to equalise, and they came close almost immediately when Kieran Wells’ audacious backheeled effort was scrambled clear by the Dereham defence.

In the 59th minute Wells had an even greater opportunity when Levi Reid’s powerful effort was parried away by Ross Bilham, with the loose ball falling at the striker’s feet.

Wells, however, could only put his effort too close to Bilham who managed to recover and save his side from conceding an equaliser.

Nothing seemed to be going in Gresley’s favour in front of goal, and they were again left dumbfounded when Kane Lee’s exquisite volley was blocked on the line.

Despite all their hard work and pressure, Gresley’s fate in the game was determined in the 80th minute when after exchanging passes with Swift, Johnson applied the finishing touch from close range to wrap up the three points.