Match Report  |  Gresley Rovers vs Hinckley LRFC

The weather leading up to this game had been quite wet to say the least but testament to the ground staff the game was able to be played and although the surface was soft both sides tried and succeeded in playing some decent football to entertain those hardy souls who had braved the elements.

Rovers’ manager Marc Strzyzewski handed Josh Waldram, who had only signed during the afternoon prior to the game, his debut and he went on to put in a man-of-the-match performance.

Hinckley came to the Moat Ground unbeaten in their last six games so Rovers knew they would be in for a tough encounter and so it proved to be.

Rovers started on the front foot and were soon putting the visitors under pressure, but it wasn’t until the 26th minute of what had been a dominant first quarter that they had their first clear chance. A ball into the area was missed by a defender and Jack Tyson took advantage only to see his shot well saved by Hinckley keeper Will Highland, his first of several goal saving displays. Two minutes later Highland made an even better save when he tipped over a vicious shot from distance.

The remainder of the first half was fairly even with neither side carving out a decent goal scoring chance except for one which fell to Yeagen Gore but his shot was well blocked by the hard working home defence.

The second half saw Rovers having the first chance when a good move down the left involving Kieran O’Connell and Richard Hanslow which ended with the latter firing a low shot just wide of the far post.

Rovers made their first chance with Jamie Sleigh replacing Hanslow and he was soon causing the visiting defence problems running onto through balls.

A free kick on the edge of the area saw Rovers go close again. Martin Smyth took the kick, but his goal bound effort was superbly pushed away by Highland diving to his left. It was still Rovers who were making the better chance and once more Hinckley were thankful to Highland for keeping the scores level as he denied Tyson with yet another good save.

Both sides made several changes in the final 15 minutes with Nathan Banton and Dylan Hunniford replacing John King and Tyson respectively and Andre Williams and Jordan Burrows replacing Liam Read and Gore for the visitors.

Hinckley were having the better second half possession but still were hardly troubling Rovers with clear-cut chances. Sleigh and O’Connell were combining well to cause problems and a move down the right ended with Sleigh cutting in and hitting another good shot on target only to see Highland managing to push the ball away from danger.

Hinckley could have stolen all three points but Dom Brennan's shot hit the post.

The end of the game saw a few yellow cards brandished by the referee and finished with honours even with the only difference between one point and three for the home side was the outstanding performance of the visitors’ keeper Will Highland.