Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Redditch United
Manager Jon Newsome made four changes to the team that lost to Gloucester bringing in youngsters Carl Timms, Carl Slater and Matt Moran along with Neil Kitching.
Gresley made the early running and on 4 minutes were awarded a free kick. Defender Gary White's free kick was nodded down by Andy Bourne and the visiting keeper was quick to react before Kitching could get to the ball.
A minute later a fine move down the right by Bourne ended with him floating the ball into the area were White was waiting to head the ball down for Kitching who blazed the ball over the bar.
On 11 minutes Redditch had their first clear opening. They were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box and as the ball crossed into the area James Lindley failed to gather cleanly. The ball fell to Jimmy Quiggan and his shot was cleared off the line by Ian Bluck.
Two minutes later a Redditch run into the box ended with Lindley saving with his legs and the ball cleared for a corner.
On 15 minutes the impressive Slater made a fine run into the box and was brought down by Redditch keeper Richard Anstiss. The referee pointed to the spot and it was Mark Peters who stepped up to take the penalty.
Anstiss made up for the penalty by making a superb save from Peters' spot kick diving full length down to his left to push the ball out for a corner.
On 25 minutes Newsome had to make his first change. Stuart Evans had picked up an injury during the warm-up and it didn't improve so he was substituted with Richard Wardle replacing him.
On 36 minutes Bourne was again put through by Slater but his finish was poor as he put the ball well wide.
Bourne was gain in the action on 42 minutes as Peters put him through but the keeper did well to hold on to the ball just ahead of the advancing Gresley player.
Five minutes after the break Moran mad a good run down the right and sent in a vicious low cross that just evaded Kitching's reach
On 52 minutes Redditch should have opened the scoring. A wicked cross by Matty Hall was only half cleared by Lindley and the ball fell to Richard Field who incredibly hit his shot from eight yards out well over the unguarded net.
Two minutes later Slater picked up the ball and from 30 yards hit a ferocious shot that Anstiss impressively held on to.
On 60 minutes, Jamie Barrett who had replaced Kitching, beat the Redditch off side trap playing a clever one-two with Bourne and his shot was knocked down by the keeper but Bourne failed to capitalise on the rebound.
Four minutes later Slater made a fine run through the middle and his shot beat Anstiss and also the post as the ball went agonisingly wide.
On 72 minutes from a corner by Peters, Bluck headed the ball back across the box and again Bourne was unlucky as he put his shot over the bar.
Gresley had a scare on 80 minutes when Hall's corner was powerfully headed goal wards by former Moatman Gary Knight but Moran who has been stationed on the line at the far post for such an occasion did his job and cleared the danger.
Moran was involved four minutes later when he made another scurry down the right and his resulting cross was headed over by Barrett.
It was obvious that both the sides are in desperate need of a striker who can put away the chances being made and a draw was a fair result.
The manager's view
"I think we flattered to deceive today. We huffed and puffed but never really got going.
"It becomes more and more obvious of our need for a striker. Neil Kitching played with a thigh strain and he did the best he could but he had to come off.
"I thought we created enough chances and they created chances but, if you're honest a draw was a fair result. The match was against two teams who are struggling to score goals.
"When Stuart Evans came off I waited to see if they caused us a problem with their shape. They played with a 3-4-3, which was causing us some problems so I reverted to a flat back four by bringing on Richard Wardle. If they had played with two strikers then I would probably come on myself.
"Stuart got a whack on the thigh in the warm up and it got worse so I brought him off. I don't expect it to be a long-term thing.
"The penalty miss was a turning point. Yes, it was a good save but we missed a penalty. The lads will not let Mark Peters forget that. Funnily enough we took some penalties on Thursday in training and I was quite surprised when Mark picked it up. It's not that I think he wasn't good enough to take one.
"I think the match was pretty even. They huffed and puffed as we did, and they played good bits in spells but we never really got going.
"We played better in the second half but we struggled in the final third. Of the young lads I personally thought Carl Slater was the pick of the bunch. I thought he did well. He got around the pitch, he kept the shape, he stuck his foot in and he made us play.
"Matt Moran and Carl Timms did well but they are learning. I've said to them that they need to realise that when we give away possession it can be dangerous no matter where on the pitch we are. I think that sometimes we gave away possession to easily. But I think that is coming from playing in the reserves where it is of a little easier standard.
"But none of the youngsters disgraced themselves. It was hard for Timms because he ended up being pushed out onto the left but they did all right.
"We will be without Ian Bluck for next Saturday and Chris Gray will be serving his last match ban but I expect Stuart to be OK. We are trying to bring people in and hopefully I'm going to hear something within the next few days.
"Crewe spoke to me about Gary White yesterday and how he'd done very well. They were pleased with what they'd seen and the manager wants to see him playing in a reserve game."
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Redditch United (0) 0
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Moran, G White, Bluck, Evans (Wardle 25), Cheetham, Timms, Peters,Bourne, Kitching (Barrett 52), Slater. Subs not used: Hopkins, Newsome, Clarke (gk).
Redditch United: Anstiss, Manton, Townsend, Taylor, Knight, Shaw (Clarke 64), Field, Cowley, Quiggan (Hill 85), Rowell (Arshad 45), Hall. Sub not used: Softley.
Rovers Star Man: Andy Cheetham – strong in defence.
Referee: Nigel Murphy (Mansfield).
Attendance: 378
