Match Report  |  Gresley Rovers vs Coleshill Town

This was not the way Rovers wanted to end their pre-season, in defeat, but you have to put your hands up and admit that opponents Coleshill Town are a good side and should on this showing be up at the top end of the table challenging for honours.

Rovers did have their moments especially in the second half when they had long spells of good football, but two really sloppy goals conceded made the score a little unjust.

Town started on the front foot forcing a decent save from Rovers’ keeper Lewis Fenney. He was called on again on 15 minutes making another save as Town threatened.

Kane Lee ran onto a through ball, but the visiting keeper was quick off the mark and diving at Lee’s feet managed to get the faintest of touches to deny him a goal.

Just after the half hour mark Fenney brought down a Town player with the referee awarding the penalty. Taylor Carter-Byrne smashed the ball home giving the home keeper no chance.

Rovers hit back almost immediately, and the goal was also from the spot. As James Tague strode into the area he was brought down, and Jamie Sleigh also fired home despite the keeper get some touch on the ball but the shot was too powerful to stop.

With the first half almost up Rovers handed Town back the lead. Amarvir Sandu managed to test Fenney who let the ball go through his hands as he jumped to claim the ball and it ended in the back of his net.

After the break James Spruce replaced Jayden Forrester as Rovers looked to get back on level terms but it was the visitors who went closest first early on forcing another save off Fenney.

Rovers then went close themselves three times in the next 8 minutes. First George Clark put his shot across the face of goal after a good run down the right. Following that near miss Tague also fired across the goal before a powerful shot was blocked on its way to the back of the net.

The home side was having the better of the play but were caught out when a long though ball which Sandu ran onto before finishing well firing past Fenney.

Rovers came back with a corner from the left being narrowly headed over the bar and then seeing an attempt tipped away by the keeper and the follow up shot going straight into his midriff.

Spruce then warmed the hands of the keeper as the game began to run down, but Town had one more sting in their tails as Nialle Rowe fired in at the far post after the initial shot was blocked low down by Fenney who couldn’t hold on to the loose ball.