Gresley Rovers vs Mangotsfield United
Disappointing defeat
What can you do when you give the visitors a two-goal start? On a number of
occasions Gresley have given themselves an up hill battle to get anything out
a game at home.
And, on a night when the fans needed cheering up because of the rain, Gresley
failed to get into gear. Indeed, it was Mangotsfield who adapted to the conditions
and played the best football of the first half.
Perhaps the two goals were given away but no one could argue that Mangotsfield
were not worthy of their lead at half time.
On 5 minutes Gresley were behind. A farcical mix up between Steve Coates and
James Lindley let Darren Edwards stroll in and score from 12 yards as the Gresley
pair were still deciding between themselves who should clear the ball away.
Gresley were failing to string passes to each other and had only one notable
attempt on goal from Ian Bluck.
Things got worse for Gresley on 21 minutes when they were awarded a penalty.
Lindley forced Edwards wide as the striker chased a ball in the area but the
Gresley keeper needlessly brought the player down and the referee did not hesitate
and pointed to the spot for a penalty kick that Gareth Loydon converted easily.
The home side almost stole a goal back when an inswinging corner was headed
off the line by Scott Hendy.
Eight minutes before half time McGinlay had seen enough and made a double substitution
bringing on Barry Woolley and Chris Parkins in a hope to spark his side into
life.
But it was still the visitors who were looking the most likely to score and
on 43 minutes they could have had a 3-0 lead. It was only a save by Lindley
that denied Danny Hallett from increasing the lead.
A half time talking to seemed to spring the Jeykel and Hyde Rovers side into
action and they looked a lot more dangerous and determined. For the first time
in the match the passes were finding colleagues and the tackles were snapping
in.
On 51 minutes Gresley were back in the game. Aidan Callan received a through
ball from Bluck down the right flank and whipped in a cross that was met by
Wooley who headed his 13th goal of the season.
Chris White had a golden chance to level things on 59 minutes but the ball
got tangled in his feet and the chance went begging.
Gresley continued to press and Richard Wardle came close when he smashed the
cross bar with a fierce shot.
One of the most impressive things about Mangotsfield's play was the speed at
which they could break from their own penalty area and be in an attacking position.
It was only a tackle from Andy Cheetham on the lively Edwards that prevented
the visitors from profiting from one of those swift moves.
Gresley were harshly denied an equaliser when the Walsall official blew for
a foul as Callan fired the ball home.
On 66 minutes Gresley got the goal their pressure deserved. Cheetham made a
superb run and crossed to White who missed his kick but Parkins was quick to
react and rammed the ball home.
It now looked as if Gresley was going to 'nick it' and complete a remarkable
comeback with White and Woolley both going close.
However, it was not to be, because another swift break by the visitors with
only nine minutes left saw Hallett beating Cheetham and supplying a cross that
the unmarked Dave Seal easily despatched past Lindley with a well placed header.
The manager's view of the game
"The first half was terrible and I'm sure any supporters who haven't been
here for a while will wonder what are they going on about because we've had
two fantastic performances away from home we then come home and for 45 minutes
we weren’t at the races.
"I think that I'd five players on the park today that weren’t 100
per cent fit or weren’t close to it. We were forced into making the changes
because we were just so poor and I tried to spark the team up and to be fair
both subs scored and we looked a little more positive.
"We came out for the second half and I thought we were tremendous for the
first 30, 35 minutes. We took the game to them; we were winning the tackles
and the loose balls and getting crosses into the box and I think we were unfortunate
not to have scored a couple more goals.
"Richard Wardle hit the bar but you know in the back of your mind you won't
do it for 45 minutes. They would have tried to cram in 90 minutes worth into
45 because they were chasing the game and that's their own fault because they
weren't at the races.
"We were chasing so much that you know at times that you are going to leave
yourselves open at the back and we tried to make a tackle we haven't made it
they got a cross in the box we ball watched and the boy is free to pick his
spot.
"I can't fault the ref in the second half. I wish I could say the same
for the first half.
To do so well and get ourselves back in the game and to let it go so easily,
so sloppily is disappointing.
"I can't fault them for their effort in the second half but I can in the
first half.
"With regards to injuries you have to be guided by the players. If it means
we have to freshen up a little bit for Saturday that's not a problem. But I
do wish at times that the players were a bit more honest with you because at
the end of the day they are not only letting themselves down but they are letting
their team mates down and the supporters as well. So a little more honesty;
if you're not fit you're not fit.
"We've been on a decent run and it's come to an end tonight so we've got
to start again on Saturday. We were unbeaten in the league this year up to tonight
and we've lost it. And the disappointing thing is we've lost it at home. They
are a good side you can't take that away from them. They are a good attacking
side but I feel we are better than that.
"We've got to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start all over
again on Saturday.
"Jake Fairbrother will have another run in the reserves on Saturday because
he is still short of fitness. I feel it's more beneficial for him to be involved
with the reserves and hopefully get 90 minutes under his belt than travelling
with us and not being involved. He needs as much playing time as he can now
as long as we are sensible with him and he's not playing with the injury. So
he'll go with the reserves on Saturday.
"As for the rest of the team it's too early to tell. We have a few knocks
but we'll see how they go through the week."
Gresley Rovers (0) 2
Mangotsfield United (2) 3
Scorers: Woolley 51, Parkins 66 (Gresley Rovers); Edwards 3, Loydon
(pen) 21, Seal 81 (Mangotsfield United).
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Bluck, Cheetham, Coates, Wardle, Evans, Bourne
(Parkins 41), Callan, White (Peters 79), Tucker (Woolley 41), Gray.
Mangotsfield United: Clarke, Heldges, Hallett, Barless, Hendy, Loydon,
Summers, Pendry (Cousins 83), Edwards, Seal (Winters 83), Sims. Sub not used:
Penny.
Rovers
Star Man: Aidan Callan - Tried hard in atrocious conditions.
Referee: S Ainge (Walsall).
Attendance: 231
