Note that this page is from our archive during the time when the club was called Gresley FC. It may not be related to the old Gresley Rovers.
Grantham Friendly Match News
Gary Norton's plans to utilise tonight's re-arranged friendly to look at new players and give match fitness and pitch time has taken a number of blows in the last 24 hours with news that several players originally intended to be involved are not now available.
Matt Hill and Rob Spencer are troubled by tight hamstrings that saw them both withdrawn from the action as a precaution on Saturday. In addition striker Matt Weightman who impressed on Saturday picked up an ankle problem at the weekend and is still in some discomfort so it is unlikely any of those will be risked from the start for tonight's game if at all.
Winger Tom Betteridge has also reported a tightness in his groin and at best might make the bench.
Gareth Langford was one player who needed a game after missing the last two has pulled out through university commitments whilst Chris Gray has had to change shifts at work at short notice which will also rule him out.
Norton had originally intended to take an extended look at new signing/trialist Rameer Outlaw but the 19 year old has withdrawn from the squad with a heavy cold whilst another trialist the club wanted to look at tonight is unavailable.
Still on the physio's treatment table are Oliver Hancock (ankle), Stefan Marshall (hamstring) and Andy Elliot (ankle) whilst Simon Baldwin (work) and Mark Blount join the holidaying Jamie Barrett on the unavailable list.
Norton's plight is heightened by the fact he is unable to call up any of the Reserve squad as they have a game tonight in the Derbyshire Cup at Sandiacre although he may pull a couple of players due to be on the bench for the game.
However, the game will go ahead as there are still a number of players the manager thinks will benefit from the game.
New signing Richard Butler hasn't played much football recently whilst Royce Turville and Jordi Gough will also gain some much needed pitch time after recently returning to action from injury.
Adam Betteridge has also missed the last two games with a calf problem and will also get a run out.
On tonight's friendly Norton said: "We had considered cancelling the fixture but at such short notice that wouldn't be fair on Grantham or indeed any supporters who had planned to come down.
"Having said that, we still feel that there are a number of positives to be gained from giving pitch time to a few players who will benefit from it more so than training.
"The result tonight is totally irrelevant - it's all about match fitness and getting a good workout for both sides.
"It's a shame that quite a few who would have benefited from being involved tonight are not available but that's how it goes sometimes.
"I was keen to get a closer look at Rameer Outlaw but he's had to pull out with a heavy cold. With the Reserves in action tonight the squad will be stretched but we won't take unnecessary risks with anyone who has knocks that could get worse.
"A couple of youth team lads will be drafted in and it will be good experience for them to be involved with the first team."
Squad: Hateley, Davis, Coulson, Butler, A Betteridge, Woodall, Lyons, Slater, Turville, Gough, Spencer, T Betteridge, Hill, Waite, Rowlands, Harris, Fielding