Rugby United vs Gresley Rovers
This was always going to be a close encounter according to the stats for both teams. And, so it was with just one goal dividing the sides on a bone-hard pitch and with a blustery wind blowing.
On 9 minutes Robbie Beard received a throw-in from Nathan Thompson and passed to Justin Marsden whose shot took a deflection which Gresley keeper Mark Shiels did well to save down low.
Beard went close again just minutes later beating two Gresley defenders but his final shot went well over the bar.
Gresley’s first meaningful attack came on 15 minutes when Chris Gray collected a poor pass from Thompson and played Andy Bourne through but his shot was saved by home keeper Jason Pearcey’s legs.
On 18 minutes Shiels was in action again as he saved a point-blank shot from the un-marked Beard.
A minute later the dangerous Beard tested Shiels again but the young keeper was up to the task as he made a brilliant save diving full length to push the ball for a corner.
Gresley best chance of the first half came only minutes later. Bourne was put through by a fine ball from Richard Wardle, but his low hard cross eluded several defenders and Gray.
Gresley went close again just before the halftime whistle when Matt Moran’s cross was helped on by Carl Timms but former Gresley defender Gary Moran managed to clear the ball before Earl Alexander could capitalise.
Right from the turn around the home side were threatening. Rugby were awarded a free kick which found Beard whose angled drive was turned round the post by Shiels.
On 47 minutes Alexander swung in a corner which was missed by Peacey, but Stuart Evans could not force the ball home through a crowded area.
Shiels was called on again to keep out a close-range headed from Beard from a Gary Moran’s cross.
Gresley were having problems creating any chances up front and it was defender Andy Cheetham who looked the most dangerous for the visitors. His cross, after a fine run, found Carl Timms but his shot was deflected for a corner.
On 69 minutes Rugby broke the deadlock. A ball high into the Gresley end was headed on by Marsden aided by the blustery wind, beating Evans and Beard was waiting unmarked after getting behind the defence and he coolly lifted the ball over Shiels.
The visitors could have got on terms almost immediately when Bourne put Timms through but his shot was blocked by Pearcey and Neil Kitching’s shot from the rebound deflected for a corner.
On 78 minutes the home side could have doubled their advantage. Jamie Williams ran almost the length of the field but just as he was about to pull the trigger Cheetham managed to get back to deny him his chance on goal.
With time running out Gresley had one last chance to steal a point. They were awarded a free kick 30 yards out but Pearcey did well to hold Kitchings low shot.
The manager’s view
“We seemed to switch off a bit for the goal. It was the first time they had got behind us but the lad finished it ever so well.
“The difference between the two sides was the finishing because I thought we did all right.
“They had a decent chance and finished it while we had a few half chances which we could not finish. We can’t get too down about it as I thought we played well enough.”
Rugby United (0) 1
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Scorer: Beard 69.
Rugby United: Pearcey, G Moran, Thompson (Williams 73), Hart, Commander, Redgate, Hall, Dutton, Beard, Marsden, Melville (Squire 82). Subs not used: Pearson, Spacey, Sheppard.
Gresley Rovers: Shiels, M Moran, Alexander, Wardle (Peters 51), Evans, Cheetham, Barrett, Hopkins, Bourne, Gray (Kitching 55), Timms (Yearsley 74). Subs not used: Newsome, Lindley (gk).
Rovers Star Man: Mark Shiels – fine performance.
Referee: M Dawlow (Bedford).
Attendance: 233
