Match Report  |  AFC Wulfrunians vs Gresley Rovers

An early august afternoon reminiscent of early March, cold, wet and windy saw both sides play out an entertaining FA Cup game on a greasy surface.

Despite the hosts having a few half chances, Rovers largely dominated proceedings but a combination of woodwork and defending denied the visitors for taking a deserved lead until two second half goals saw Rovers move into the next round of the competition where another away game awaits them against Atherstone Town.

Rovers started well forcing an early corner and Jamie Sleigh firing wide. Wulfs hit back with the dangerous Jamie Meddows firing a low shot which Rovers’ keeper, Lewis Fenney, dealt with easily.

On 30 minutes Kane Lee was felled just outside the area and James Tague took the kick but his sweetly hit strike cannoned off the bottom of the far post, flew across the face of the goal and away from danger. Tague went close again a couple of minutes later but saw his shot deflected to the keeper.

Rovers were awarded a free kick taken by Alby Lansdowne which was met by Dexter Dudley-Toole at the far post and the defender’s header flew across the goalmouth but there was no teammate available to get the final touch.

They went even closer a minute later. A corner from the right came to Lansdowne whose powerful goal bound header was headed off the line by a defender and straight into the arms of his keeper.

A loose pass across the pitch from a home defender almost gifted Rovers the lead just before the break. The ball was well short of its target and was seized upon by Sleigh who then raced forward before squaring it to Lee who had only the keeper to beat but Jake James was quick off his line to make the block denying what looked like a certain goal.

Tague must have wondered how many black cats had crossed his path today as he was denied at least a goal within the first few minutes of the second half. First, his well struck low shot was blocked by James followed by another well struck shot which hit the post again for the second time in the game.

Wulfs had a decent chance on 56 minutes, but former Moatman Josh McKenzie could only fire his shot into the chest of Fenney.

A minute later Rovers were in front. A free kick from Sleigh was saved at the neat post by James and from the resultant corner the ball came out to Mason Frizelle at the far post who made no mistake smashing the ball home. It was no more than Rovers deserved.

Changes were made by both sides with Ste Hart and Bradley Maslen-Jones replacing Lee and Spruce respectively and Jake Webb replacing Craig Gregg for the home side.

The home side seemed to being awarded a few free kicks outside the 18 yard box taken by Meddows but they came to nothing as Rovers defended well.

More changes came with 10 minutes to go with Riley Davoile replacing Sleigh for the visitors and Curtis Cocking being replaced by Ashley Jackson for the Wulfs.

Fenney denied Meddows from one of the many free kicks given in a dangerous area diving full stretch to his left to push the well hit shot away for a corner which was headed well over the bar.

With time almost up, Rovers were still pressing for another goal to make their progress in the cup secure. Lewis Belgrave fired wide before a good move saw goal number two for the visitors. Davoile picked out fellow substitute Hart who fired from just inside the area and his shot squirmed under the body of James and into the net.