Redditch United vs Gresley Rovers
What a difference a day (or two) makes!
Gresley showed character and determination to shrug off the disappointment of two dreadful displays. They fought and worked hard for each other and the two new signings helped by scoring a goal apiece.
Manager Jon Newsome made some changes to the line-up bringing in Gary Knight for his debut in defence, Jamie Barrett and Gary Smith who had been sidelined with a broken arm.
The game started with both sides probing for an opener and it was Redditch who almost struck first blood.
Andy Cheetham's header failed to clear the defence and fell nicely for Naveed Arshad just inside the penalty area but James Lindley comfortably held his first time shot.
On 25 minutes the Gresley keeper was in action again when he was called on to tip over a shot by Alex Crowley.
For the first 30 minutes or so it was the home side that made the best chances with Ian Bluck and Knight both having to make saving tackles.
On 37 minutes Gresley put together their first real attack of the game and it ended in a goal.
The Redditch defence were put under some pressure and Neil Manton made a fatal mistake in sending the ball across his own area where Paul Tomlinson was on hand to crash a left footed shot past home keeper Richard Antiss.
This goal stung the home side into action and Gresley's lead lasted only until the stroke of half time when Crowley sent a somewhat speculative cross into the box and Richard Field a speculative header that somehow floated across the goal and into the net.
On 53 minutes the visitors were awarded a corner. Mark Peters swung the ball into the area and Knight rose to head the ball home. Unfortunately it hit a Redditch defender on it's way and Redditch in their panic, failed to clear and the ball fell to Knight again who this time buried his shot on the turn.
Substitute Andy Bott came close for Redditch but his header from a free kick shaved the bar.
Gresley now came under pressure as Redditch went all out to grab an equaliser. Lindley was again called on 59 minutes to make a superb save from Bottles and the home side continued to press but the Gresley defence refuse to yield.
The pressure subsided as the home side failed to breech the stout defending and in the end their attacking petered out and indeed, Gresley could easily have increased their lead.
On 80 minutes only a good save by Anstiss prevented Gresley a third when he tipped a ferocious shot by Gresley substitute Craig Hopkins round the post.
Six minutes later Anstiss made another save this time using his legs to deny Michael Crawford who had burst into the box and with time almost up Gary Smith rattled the upright but the ball bounced out and away to safety.
The manager's view
"I'm delighted how the lads came back from the two heavy defeats. Gary Knight was excellent. He had things organised and he went and headed everything that came his way.
"He had not played with the lads before tonight and he didn't even know who he was playing alongside. He was magnificent.
This result is just what we needed, but the performance was a lot better, we were a lot more dogged."
Redditch United (1) 1
Gresley Rovers (1) 2
Scorers: Field (Redditch United), Tomlinson 37, Knight 53 (Gresley Rovers).
Redditch United: Anstiss, Manton, Townsend, Mullholland (Booth 45), L Knight, Bottles, Field (Harris 70), Shaw (Bott 60), Arshad, Hall, Cowley. Sub not used: Swann.
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Bluck, G Knight, Cheetham, Peters, Wardle, Barrett (Hopkins 70), Crawford, Tomlinson, Smith, G White. Subs not used: Gray, Parkins, Alexander, Roberts (gk).
Rovers Star Man: Gary Knight – impressive debut.
Refree: S J Barrow (West Midlands).
Attendance: 178
