Match Report  |  Gresley Rovers vs Cambridge City

Both sides needed the points in this encounter, but it was the visitors who came away with all three albeit with a huge slice of luck.

City who had been demolished in midweek by Harborough Town were looking to put things right and they started out on the front foot with a looping cross-cum-shot from the left having to be tipped over the bar by Rovers’ keeper Harvey Woodward.

Neither side were finding it easy to create any chances and the game became scrappy. However, Rovers went close with Nathan Banton firing a shot wide on 17 minutes. Richard Hanslow then brought out the first of several good saves from visiting keeper Joe Welch, as yet another keeper decided to make their game against Rovers a good one.

Hanslow fastened onto a cross from the right, but his blistering shot was tipped over the bar followed a minute later when Welch once prevented Rovers from taking the lead by pushing away a superb header from close in. Chris Jones then tested Welch, but his shot was straight into the arms of the keeper.

City took the lead almost on the stroke of half time. A low cross flew into Rovers’ box and the unfortunate Josh Egginton, who was racing in to cover the back post, could do nothing to prevent the ball from hitting his legs and into the net.

City started the second half as they had the first half by testing Woodward who had to make a good save to deny the visitors from close in.

Ryan Ingrey, who was hurt in the attempt on goal had to be replaced by Stanley Leech. While Ingrey was receiving treatment Rovers made two changes with Jamie Sleigh replacing Hanslow and John King replacing Nathan Banton.

The home defence was called on to make a fine block as City pressed while at the other end Kieran O’Connell warmed the hands of Leech.

Rovers were on top but still couldn’t get the better of a determined keeper, a resolute defence and some wayward shooting as a turn in the box and a vicious shot in the area saw Leech make another great save.

With Rovers pressing hard to get a deserved share of the points at least, they were almost caught out when City made a quick break with four minutes remaining of normal time. The ball was played up the left to substitute Dan Cotton who cut in and hit a curving shot which beat Woodward but not the woodwork with the ball hitting the far post and away.

Even with eight additional minutes neither side could carve out a meaningful chance and the game ended with the visitors taking the points away with them.