Match Report  |  Harrowby United vs Gresley Rovers

Gresley Rovers suffered another defeat on the road but it was not for the want of trying as indeed anyone who witnessed the game would surely have agreed that they deserved a share of the points at the very least.

This performance against Harrowby was in marked contrast to last week’s effort at Wisbech. It showed in large parts what Rovers could produce and I’m sure will produce as a more settled side take to the field.

The lack of taking the numerous opportunities which arrived denied the visitors of at least a four-goal lead by the half time break. Harrowby, on the other hand, had just three chances but converted two of them.

Rovers were missing Alby Lansdowne who is suffering from tendonitis, but they did have a new signing, Jenson Cooper who had previously played for the club towards the end of last season.

Just like the last couple of games Rovers were under pressure from the start with a good block needed at the post within two minutes . Fin Barker then made a fine run down the left before passing to Jamie Sleigh who in turn picked out Kane Lee only for Lee to see his well struck shot clatter the cross bar with only eight minutes on the clock.

Six minutes later Rovers had another good chance. Home keeper Alex Smith dallied on the ball just inside his own area and was robbed of the ball by Sleigh who skipped around the keeper but put his final shot into the side netting from a tight angle.

Rovers were well on top and continued to create chances which unfortunately they didn’t convert. Lee made a run down the right and sent over a great ball to Sleigh waiting in the area but unbelievably put his shot over the bar with the goal gaping. Lee himself had the next chance this time his goal bound effort was blocked at the near post.

Harrowby were pressing towards the end of the half but were not testing the visiting keeper. Rovers had two further chances as the half drew to a close with Sleigh heading Barker’s wide and Lee, after a run through the middle, fired wide.

The home side were in front within two minutes of the second half starting from a corner which Elliott King converted with a shot which beat Louie Turner. Rovers were looking for a goal themselves and it came on 61 minutes, and it was a cracker.

Lee was almost on the halfway line when he noticed Smith well out of his goal and he launched a superb accurate lob over the keeper and into the net very like David Beckham’s famous effort.

Unfortunately, Rovers were only level for six minutes. A ball into the Rovers’ box caused some panic. Turner couldn’t hold on to the ball and it was only half cleared before it was played back into the area where Lewis Marsh managed to poke the ball home.

The goal was somewhat against the run of play as Rovers were still on top but couldn’t find that killer touch their play deserved. Sleigh went close again firing a shot at the keeper but Harrowby had a chance also with the unmarked Taylor Gray missing a gilt edged one firing over the bar from close in.

Cooper, who had replaced Alex Britton, took a long throw that found fellow substitute Ste Hart who managed to turn in the area and hit a shot which took a deflection to deny him. Harrowby were not done yet and substitute Marley Hamilton almost extended his side’s lead but his thunderous shot from the left hit the cross bar. The home side were having the better of the final few minutes with Rovers’ Will Robinson having to make a perfectly timed tackle to deny another goal. Turner’s superb save denying Tom Harris ensured his side conceded no more goals.

Despite the scoreline this was a very encouraging performance from Rovers with signs that it won’t be long before things start to click in place.