Match Report  |  Eastwood CFC vs Gresley Rovers

On a very damp evening Gresley Rovers and Eastwood CFC played out an entertaining match on the 3G pitch.

Both sides played their part in an end-to-end encounter with the home side threatening first when Tyler Blake fired straight at Rovers’ keeper Louie Turner. The action flew to the other end with a fine pass from Ryan King laying the ball up for Kane Lee who had his shot parried by Sam Wilson.

Jenson Cooper had his shot deleted for Rovers and they went even closer on 10 minutes when Lee hit a thunderous shot which left Wilson a spectator only to see the ball crash against the bar.

Eastwood took the lead six minutes later when Blake held off his marker, turned and somehow managed to squeeze his low shot between Turner and the near post. The goal prompted more end-to-end action with Phil Watt heading a free kick wide and Gresley legend Aaron O’Connor having a shot pushed away.

With the first half almost up Rovers had a couple of chances themselves. The first fell to King who fired at the keeper and then a good passage of play saw Dylan Hunniford put the ball through to King who’s cross from the left was inches away from Lee running into the box.

The second half opened in a similar pattern as the first had ended with the play flowing from one end to the other with Eastwood forcing two corners in succession which were well defended.

Eastwood made their first changes with Will Gillies replacing Jermain Hollis and Oliver Robinson coming on for Lavell White, but it was Rovers who were pressing hard looking for an equaliser. Lee hit a shot on the turn at Wilson followed by him firing just wide of the target.

Both sides made changes with Jacob Sturgess replacing King for Rovers and Ryan Tait replacing Billy Bennett for the home side.

On 81 minutes Rovers succeeded in getting the goal their play deserved. Cooper latched on to the ball and raced forward and seeing Willson coming off his line he lifted a delicate lob over the keeper and into net despite the attention of two defenders trying to prevent it, his first goal in a Rovers shirt.

The game almost turned against Rovers when Sturgess brought down Blake in the area with just four minutes of regular time remaining. Who should step up to take the penalty kick was no other than O’Conner. Normally a sure cert for a goal he somehow managed to sky his shot well over the bar.

Rovers almost snatched a winner when Banton, having his best game in a Rovers shirt, ran into the area from the left before forcing Wilson into a fine save.

The referee drew the game to an end and too be honest a draw was arguably the right result.