Match Report  |  Gresley Rovers vs Harborough Town

Match report by Kieran Leary

Gresley Rovers were held to a 2-2 draw against a 10 men Harborough Town as a 90th minute Bekir Halil equaliser secured a point for the Moatmen.

Gresley took the lead just before half time through a brilliant solo run from Kane Lee who was able to slot it past the keeper into the bottom corner just minutes before the visitors went down to 10 men.

The visitors struck back in the 76th minute after a calmly taken strike by Brett Solkhon was able to beat Lewis Fenney in the Gresley goal. Despite the 10 men Harborough found another goal shortly afterwards as Paul Malone was left unmarked from a corner and was able to convert his free header.

The visitors thought they were going home with all three points until a failed clearance bounced off an unknowing Bekir Halil in the 90th minute which equalised for Gresley and was enough to earn them a point from the game.

A very fast start from Harborough Town with a couple of set pieces in the early stages but Gresley managed to deal with them well.

Gresley came to life 10 minutes into the game with a few half chances but nothing to cause any real problems for the away side.

A delicious free kick from Bekir Halil was whipped into a dangerous area with the keeper making a mess of it but no Gresley player was there to pick up the scraps.

Lewis Fenney was called into action a few times mid-way through the first half as he produced some great interceptions after rushing off his line to cover his backline from the balls in behind from the Harborough midfielders.

A great counter attack from Gresley resulted in Dylan Hunniford’s attempt being cleared off the line from the Harborough Town defenders.

Keiron Berry had two good chances to put Gresley ahead just before half time but was unable to convert either chance with one going just past the post and the other being saved by the goalkeeper.

It was Gresley who broke the deadlock as Kane Lee produced a superb solo run and slotted it past the helpless Harborough Town goalkeeper.

Things got a lot worse for the away side when they went down to ten men just before half time as Rhys Kelly was shown a second yellow after a reckless challenge on Kane Lee.

The visitors came flying out in the second half with some half chances trying to find the equaliser but nothing really to trouble Lewis Fenney in the Gresley goal.

Harborough had another opportunity in the 53rd minute with James Ireland’s header sailing just past the post.

Captain Kieran Wells had a great opportunity to double Gresley’s advantage just before the hour mark but was unable to convert with his effort hitting the side netting.

A great opportunity for Paul Malone to level the scores in the 73rd minute as his close ranged header from a corner hits the crossbar and Gresley were able to eventually clear the ball.

The bees stung back on the 76th minute with a calmly taken strike by substitute Brett Solkhon as he slotted the ball into the corner past the goalkeeper.

Harborough Town took the lead in the 85th minute after Paul Malone was left unmarked in the box and was able to convert his free header past a helpless Lewis Fenney.

Gresley struck back in the 90th minute to make the score 2-2 as the ball deflected off Bekir Halil whilst the Harborough defence were trying to clear their lines.

A nervy finish for Gresley as Harborough Town loaded the box from a few consecutive corners but Gresley were able to clear them after one or two great goal line clearances.