Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Swindon Supermarine
A stubborn Swindon Supermarine made Gresley Rovers fight for the three points at the Moat Ground.
'Marine had only managed one point from their first eight league matches but soon put Gresley under pressure and for the first 30 minutes of the game looked as if they could spring a surprise.
A Jamie Barrett foul on Steve Bennett gave the visitors their first chance but the kick was hit into the Gresley wall.
On 18 minutes Gresley were forced into a change when Michael Crawford limped off the field with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Craig Hopkins.
One minute later a tremendous challenge by Andy Cheetham denied Adrian Adams a clear chance on goal.
Barrett made a probing run into down the left and Neil Kitching narrowly missed the resulting cross and then Mark Peters fired wide when unmarked.
A misplaced back pass by Richard Wardle was seized upon and it took a superbly timed tackle by Gary Knight to again deny Adams a scoring opportunity.
On 28 minutes Gresley keeper James Lindley had to race out of his area to head thye ball away from Leigh White.
There was a long stoppage in the play after Ian Bluck and Adams clashed heads. It resulted in the Gresley defender being replaced by Stuart Evans who was making his first appearance this season.
During the time added on Gresley opened the scoring when Gary Smith latched on to a pass by Barrett after some good work by Peters. The Gresley striker mad no mistake and scored his first goal for the club by smashing the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
Gresley could have made it two within a minute of the re-start when Barrett raced clear on to Kitching's pass. But the youngster hurried his shot giving visiting keeper Paul Titcome a chance to gather the ball at the second attempt.
The miss proved costly as a minute later Swindon had pulled level. A free kick by Steve Davies was headed home by Marc Richards as the Gresley defence failed to deal with the ball.
On 49 minutes Gresley were almost in front again. Peters hit a free kick that brushed the top of the Swindon crossbar.
A few moments later Gresley top scorer Kitching almost added to his tally for the season but the woodwork stopped his audacious chip after beating Titcome.
On 73 minutes Smith scored his and Gresley's second. Barrett played a short pass to Smith who expertly turned his marked and put his shot wide of the keeper and into the net.
The only down side to the game was the decision of defender Gary Knight to leave Gresley after just two games and join Redditch United. The decision was made by Knight to cut down on the travelling he has to do to get to training and games.
The manager's view
"I'm pleased with the win. A win is a win; three points is three points. Gary Smith has got of the mark and broken his duck. He did well with his second goal it was a good turn and a good finish.
"I know we can play a lot better than that but I think it was a bit of a hangover from the couple of spankings we've had.
"We worked hard at Redditch and got a good result and today's result will give us a bit more confidence.
"Jamie Barrett got around the pitch and seems to be now fulfilling his potential. There was something about him today. He was brave and had the confidence to have a crack from quite a distance out and he thought he could do the keeper from where he was. It was one of those that if it had come off everyone would have said 'what a fabulous goal and what a great player'. If it doesn't come off it is a horrible miss.
"I was disappointed with their equaliser. It has been a couple of times now we've conceded like that and it's something we need to look at in training.
"Mark Peters had a good game. He's found his feet a little bit he was one of the few who had some life in him. When they had the ball he pressed and made it difficult for them.
"I don't think our front two worked their back four much. Their defence was too comfortable on the ball; we allowed them to play. Other teams stop us playing and we don't like it when they do, but we don't do the same to them. It should be the other way round.
"Overall it's nice to win and I know we've gone to fourth but you need to look at the league at Christmas when you've played everyone.
"Ian Bluck took a real bang and had to be carried off but I think he'll be OK. He's walking around and he's in the dressing room laughing and joking and eating a sandwich or two. I don't think that will be a long-term problem.
"Michael Crawford has a slight hamstring injury so we will have to wait and see how that is on Tuesday and Thursday."
Gresley Rovers (1) 2
Swindon Supermarine (0) 1
Scorers: G Smith 45, 73 (Gresley Rovers); Richards 47 (Swindon Supermarine).
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Wardle, G White (Alexander 75), Cheetham, Bluck (Evans 43), Knight, Barrett, Crawford (Hopkins 18), Kitching, G Smith, Peters. Subs not used: Tomlinson, Roberts (gk).
Swindon Supermarine: Titcombe, Dunton, Oke (Winchcome 75), L White, B Smith, Davies, Richards, Jones, Collier, Adams, Bennett. Subs not used: Knox, McCluskley.
Rovers Star Man: Gary Smith – deserved his two goals.
Referee: A Jones (Lincoln).
Attendance: 349
