Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Ossett Town
Gresley all square
Overall a draw was probably the fairest result in a 'friendly' game against Unibond First Division Ossett Town at the Moat Ground Wednesday night.
At times, the game was not so friendly and the referee had to book a couple of the visitors after numerous warnings.
Gresley manager Jon Newsome again fielded a side containing triallists Mick Crawford, Danny Woods and former Gresley player Shaun Bedward in a line up that was short of several first team regulars.
On 9 minutes Woods, one of the new boys, made a mazy run through the Town's defence but his final shot was deflected by a Gresley player and out for a goal kick.
Wood looking very dangerous in the first half came close after receiving a great pass from Aidan Callan but his shot was saved by Lee Bracey. The Town keeper had minutes earlier made a fine save from new signing Gary Smith again after some good work by Callan.
In the fifth minute of first half injury time Gresley had, what looked a perfectly good goal, ruled out for offside. The assistant referee flagged to say that as Jamie Barrett reached the touch line and crossed, resulting in a simple tap-in by Smith, the ball had gone forward much to the total amazement of the supporters and players.
There were plenty of changes of personnel at half time by Newsome. He brought off Woods and Smith and brought on Bedward and Kitching up front with Crawford and Hopkins in the middle.
This may have broke Gresley's concentration because on 47 minutes Ian Bluck tried to clear a Danny Mills cross but ended up slamming it up and onto the bar. The ball bounced down and James Lindley in the Gresley goal cleared but the assistant referee adjudged that it had crossed the line and indicated to the referee who awarded the goal this time to the bewilderment of all the players and supporters and total silence.
On 51 minutes Bedward gave the Town's defence the run-around and his low drive from the edge of the box was well held by Bracey.
15 minutes later Bedward was testing the keeper again. Bracey, who had raced off his line to clear a dangerous through ball was back-pedalling towards his goal when Bedward cracked a goal bound shot which the keeper did extremely well to get a fingertip to and away to safety.
Bedward again was involved in a Gresley move, which ended with a snap shot by Parkins that was blocked by Bracey, but Kitching put the rebound well over.
The final fifteen minutes it was all Gresley as they searched for the deserved equaliser.
The impressive Gary White hit a ferocious shot that was well held by Town's in-form keeper and Bracey did well again to parry another attempt by Bedward.
On 80 minutes the equaliser came. Neil Kitching made a superb run into the box and Ossett defender Dave Briggs decided he'd like a Gresley shirt and took a big handful of the striker's.
The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Smith, who had come on to the field again in place of Chris Gray, made no mistake even though the keeper got a hand to the ball the power of the shot was too great.
The manager's view
"I think the game was a little patchy tonight because we changed it around so much in the second half.
"I wanted to let people play as much of the game as possible so we could have a look at them. We also picked up a few injuries, which were disappointing, and we had to change it, change it and change it yet again.
"I was quite pleased with the first half performance, I thought we played well but we gave away a sloppy goal again in the second. We certainly did enough to at least get a draw if not go on and get a result.
"The linesman said that our goal in the first half was ruled out because of offside but there we go.
"I though the new lads did alright. It's not easy for them but we have just got to see how they settle in. It's difficult to assess someone on just one game but I was pleased with some of them.
"I've got to speak to a couple of the lads to see what they thought before I make any decisions. I've got to keep all my options open. From being short on the ground with strikers to now having an abundance of them so we'll just have to wait and see.
"It all comes to fruition a week on Saturday and that's when it all begins in earnest.
"I'm quite pleased how the preparations have gone so far but there are a few parts of the side that I need to improve or do better at. That's because we have had players playing out of position because we've got injuries. We've got an injury list as long as my arm, which is crazy. Stuart Evans picked up an injury in training. We think it's a dead leg and they can clear up as quickly as they come.
"Chris White is struggling a little bit and will be fitness wise. Lee Withers and James Lewsley are both struggling and they all will be struggling for the start of the season.
"Andy Cheetham as clicked his back a little bit. He joined in the warm up tonight and his back is getting easier but, again, we'll just have to wait and see.
"Ian Bluck had a whack in tonight's game and is a bit sore but it's amazing what a couple of days can do. We'll just have to assess it day by day and see what Saturday brings.
"The game was certainly competitive tonight. It was physical but no more so than the league games will be and gives us a good introduction to the start of the season.
"As for my starting 11 for a week on Saturday, I've got my ideas on what that will be but I won't be showing my hand yet. There's a lot of water to go under the bridge before then we may pick up a few more knocks.
"Gary Smith was very lively again tonight upfront. He adds another dimension and you can see he's played at a higher level. I'm delighted that he's decided to join us. I think he's a piece of the jigsaw that possibly we're missing.
"I still think we are short of central defenders. With Evans injured we've had to put Ian Bluck and Andy Cheetham in there to do a job. It's an area I'd like to strengthen. I thought Owen James played his best game for us tonight. He was growing in confidence. He was dominant and he did the things well that he needs to do well. He didn't get sucked in to doing jobs that centre halves shouldn't do. I was quite pleased with him. I had a word with him afterwards and he was pleased with his performance which is great and bodes well for Saturday."
Gresley Rovers (0) 1
Ossett Town (0) 1
Scorers: Smith 80 (pen) (Gresley Rovers); Bluck 47 (og) (Ossett Town).
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Wardle (Parkins 63), G White, Peters (Hopkins 45), Bluck (Peters 85), James, Barrett, Callan (Crawford 45), Woods (Kitching 45), Smith (Bedward 45), C Gray (Smith 78). Sub not used: Clarke (gk).
Ossett Town: Bracey, Briggs, O'Brien, R Gray (Catteroche 78), Brown, Featherstone (McCloughlin 68), Fleming, Mills (Olehsewylz 78), Fothergill, Lambert, Marchant. Subs not used: A Gray, Clarke.
Referee: Mark Edwards (Swadlincote).
Attendance: 255
