Match Report  |  Gresley Rovers vs Lichfield City

Gresley Rovers played out their second home pre-season friendly at the Moat Ground on a dismal damp afternoon but despite the conditions Rovers and their visitors, Lichfield City, put on an entertaining game in front of decent crowd of 187 who had braved the rain.

It was the visitors who had the first couple of chances with both flying high over the bar, but it was Rovers who had the first clear cut chance. Jamie Sleigh raced onto a through ball but was denied by City’s keeper who came off his line quickly to make a good block.

Rovers were forced into an early change when Danny Munday replaced James Tague due to a slight injury and he’d only been on the field a few minutes when he opened the scoring. Awarded a free kick on the right, Riley Davoile swung in a perfect ball into the area and Munday powerfully headed home.

Ste Hart then went close to doubling his side’s lead on 41 minutes, but his goal bound shot was deflected wide for a corner kick.

With the first half almost up, Sleigh hit a low shot from distance which the keeper had to grab at the second attempt.

Rovers extended their advantage 10 minutes into the second half. A long through ball was latched onto by Hart in so much space that he checked whether the assistant’s flag had been raised but he indicated that he was on side, so Hart continued forward before coolly steering the ball past the onrushing keeper.

The game was disrupted as both sides made several changes each during the following ten minutes and despite both teams making good runs and chances the scoreline remained the same with Munday going close putting his header narrowly over the bar.

Despite forcing two late corners, Rovers held firm to claim a well-earned win.