Match Report  |  Walsall Wood vs Gresley Rovers

It’s a pity that the main talking points of a football match are the controversial decisions which can or could have a huge say in the outcome of a game. But those travelling fans and possible most of the home fans saw such decisions during this game.

In a much-improved performance from Saturday, Gresley had the best of starts with Kane Lee’s cross from the right being turned into his own net by home skipper Josh Mansell at the far post with just 3 minutes on the clock.

On 13 minutes Rovers had a decent shout for a penalty when Ste Hart was brought down just inside the area, but referee Elliott Kaye adjudged it was outside and to add salt into the wound did not award even a free kick.

The visitors were having most of the play and creating most of the chances with James Tague going close from long range and Dexter Dudley-Toole heading into the arms of home keeper Kieran Boucher at the far post from a corner.

Both sides were seeing yellow cards flying around as the referee followed the new FA directive of penalising time wasting kicking the ball away.

The first attempt on goal by the home side came on the half hour mark. Following an earlier effort which ended in Joey Butlin putting the ball into the net with his hand earning him a yellow card. This time it was a low shot from Owen Watkins which was dealt with comfortably by Roves’ keeper Lewis Fenney.

As the first half was drawing to an end Rovers had two chances to increase their advantage. A goal bound shot from Tague was deflected away for a corner and a minute later Lee made a great run down the right but finished with his shot hitting the side netting.

Still pressing for a goal Rovers were awarded a corner taken by Brad Maslen-Jones. The ball was swung in and was met by Dudley-Toole at the far post, but his header went straight into the arms of the keeper.

The Wood levelled deep into time added on at the end of the first half when a deep cross was headed home by Kevin Monteiro.

With the second half only 4 minutes old The Wood took the lead with a very good goal. A run down the right ended with a perfect ball into the box where Butlin accepted the invitation and powered home his header.

Rovers hit back almost immediately when Tague robbed a defender just inside the area and laid the ball back to Maslen-Jones but his shot flew over. The visitors continued to press with Lee also firing over the bar and Maslen-Jones hitting a low shot which was held at the second attempt by Boucher.

Both sides made changes and it was one of Rovers’ substitutes who was the centre of a controversial decision by the referee. James Spruce made a run down the right and raced into the area where he was brought down from behind in what looked like a nailed-on penalty. Amazingly, Mr Kaye decided there was no case to answer with the Rovers players and supporters furious and asking why did he go down with only the keeper to beat, a question still begging for an answer.

Maslen-Jones had one last chance for the visiting side but unfortunately it was squandered, and Rovers left Walsall Wood still wondering how they didn’t have a share of the points at the very least.