Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Harrogate Town
Gresley opened the game in an attacking mood and almost from the kick off a Neil Kitching flicked header caused Harrogate into a hurried clearance.
On 4 minutes Earl Alexander made a run towards the visitor’s area but keeper Ashley Conner was quick off his line to clear the danger.
Seconds later Gresley were awarded a free kick and Gary White’s floated cross was received by Gary Smith but he failed to control the ball and the chance was cleared.
The nearest Gresley got to taking the lead came on 14 minutes. Kitching was put through by Carl Timms and with only the keeper to beat unfortunately put his shot wide of the upright.
Harrogate went close on 17 when a free kick by Paul Sykes was gathered by James Lindley at the second attempt.
The action then swung to the other end and from a Mark Peters corner Timms hit a volley that was well saved by Conner.
On 27 minutes Kitching had another chance but, after being put through by Peters the striker disappointingly blazed his shot over the bar.
Two minutes later Harrogate also saw a shot scream over the bar from 8 yards.
On 32 minutes debutant James Parkinson made the tackle of the match. Richard Wardle slipped on the soft pitch and Colin Hunter flew towards the Gresley goal but a superbly timed slide tackle robbed him of the ball and Robbie Whellans could only put the ball wide.
Right at the end of the half some good battling work by Smith resulted in a corner. Peters swung in the ball and it was cleared only as far as Timms and the youngster’s flighted ball was headed down by Kitching and the visitor’s keeper did well to push the ball around the post as he dived to down his left.
At halftime Jon Newsome made a change replacing Alexander with Andy Bourne and the substitution almost paid immediate dividends.
Bourne made a good run down the right and his shot skimmed the bar of the stranded Connor.
On 62 minutes Smith’s shot went narrowly over from 18 yards while at the other end Lindley was called on to make a save down to his left.
Six minutes later Harrogate went close with a header that went narrowly wide and on 69 minutes Kitching was put through by Timms but the striker was adjudged to have been offside somehow.
On 72 minutes Gresley went close again but no-one could get on the end of the ball as it flashed across the goal mouth.
On 76 minutes Paul Tomlinson who had replaced Kitching was put through on goal but the keeper was quick to see the danger and raced off his line to clear the ball.
At the other end Harrogate went close to getting the winner on 81 minutes when Lindley was forced to punch a lofted cross out for a corner and from the kick the visitor’s narrowly headed over the bar.
Harrogate were ending the game on top and on 84 minutes a shot from 18 yards was deflected by White for a corner.
On 89 minutes Lindley produced the save that kept Gresley in the FA Trophy when he superbly tipped over a header from Mick McNaughton.
Gresley must now make the trek up to Harrogate for a replay and should they prove to be successful in their task they will be rewarded with either Burscough or Marine at home in the next round.
The manager's view
"I think the weather played a part in today's result and it became a bit of a battle. They created chances and we created chances and it could have gone either way really.
"I thought we did enough in the first half to have gone in a couple up. And I think if we'd have done that I think we'd have gone on and won the game. In the end it was a good battle.
"I've said it all season, you've got to convert your chances. The higher up the ladder you go the less chances you get so you have to convert them when they come by.
"It's been the story of our season so far – missed chances. It was the same last Saturday, the same on Tuesday. We've got to start to convert the chances.
"Saying that, I've got confidence in our players and that they will start finding the net freely again. Neil Kitching was on a real hot streak at the start of the season; ok, he's on a barren run now but you've got to persevere with people and hope they turn it around.
"I thought Jim Parkinson had a great game. He did ever so well. Obviously there are bits and pieces that he needs to learn but he looked at home; he was commanding; he was nice and loud and he organised people and I thought he had a super game. He gave us something today that we've been missing.
"Stuart Evans has got a hairline fracture and Ian Bluck will be out for another couple of weeks and Jim has come in done a super job and has staked a claim for himself.
"Carl Timms continues to do well. If learns a couple of little bits he'll be an even better player. He offers you so much but he has so much to learn. He did great with his enthusiasm, his drive and commits people I think he had a super game again.
"I said to the young lads at the start of the season that 'if you get the chance then it's up to you to take it' and Timms has done just that and staked a claim. He's keeping experienced players sat on the bench. That's how it is. I will pick the best side I have at the time and if that upsets people that's unfortunate; that's football.
"James Lindley had a super game again. At times this season he's been at fault and I've told him so. I've just said to him in the dressing room 'you've had a super, super day. You've played well, you pulled off some good saves and kept us in the game at times.' I think he needs a good pat on the back.
"With regards to the players out on loan, Chris Parkins is injured and Chris Gray is staying for another month because he's enjoying it. If he came back he would be sitting on the bench at best so he may as well stay there and carry on enjoying his football.
"The replay on Tuesday will cause me a big problem because I'm not available. I have to go away on Tuesday afternoon for a week. I was hoping only to miss the game next Saturday.
"It's going to be tough going up there but I don't think there is anything to be afraid of. That's no disrespect to them. At time they knocked the ball around and showed little pockets of football that was very good, but if we go up there on the top of our game I see no reason that we can't go up there and get a result."
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Harrogate Town (0) 0
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Wardle, G White, Peters (Crawford 80), Parkinson, Cheetham, Barrett, Timms, Kitching (Tomlinson75), Smith, Alexander (Bourne 45). Subs not used: Hopkins, Roberts (gk).
Harrogate Town: A Connor, Richardson, Sykes, Sturdy, McNaughton (Mohan 90), Merris, Donaldson, Bonsall, Turley (Marcelle 83), Whelans (Jackson 83), Hunter. Sub not used: G Connor.
Rovers Star Man: Carl Timms – yet another impressive display.
Referee: A Denniff (Sheffield).
Attendance: 302
