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.
Heanor Pre-Match News
Gresley FC manager Gary Norton is boosted by the possibility that the injured trio of Brian Woodall, Jordi Gough and Matt Hill could all be involved in tonight’s game against Heanor Town at the Moat Ground.
Woodall and Gough are recovering from ankle injuries and have missed the last two games whilst Hill picked up a knee injury last midweek against Ibstock United. However all three will undertake fitness tests ahead of the game with Norton hopeful that all three may make the squad. The manager is also boosted with the news that both Richard Butler and Jack Coulson will definitely be fit for the clash.
Both played in Saturday's win against Gedling but were clearly struggling in the final period of the game with Coulson substituted towards the end. However both players have reported fighting fit for the Heanor game and look set to retain their places in the starting eleven.
Norton said: “It’s a huge boost that Brian, Jordi and Matt could return to the squad and we will take a look at all three before the game and decide from there.
"There’s no question of holding anyone back ahead of Saturday's Vase game as we need the three points and will be putting out our strongest available side.
"Having said that we do have a big squad and the lads who have come into the side have done well in the last couple of games on quite testing surfaces.
"We will face some great selection dilemma’s should all three be passed fit. For example, Gareth Langford was excellent at fullback on Saturday so even if Matty Hill was passed fit he may have to settle for a place on the bench."
Norton will also make a late check on Rhys Powell who dropped out of the starting eleven during the warm-up on Saturday with a slight calf problem.
New signing Tom Land looks set to retain his place in the squad although the central defender will not be eligible for Saturday’s trip to Long Buckby due to being cup tied.
Norton could also draft into the squad Matt Weightman who missed last week’s games through illness or Andy Elliot who having recovered from injury has played the last two games on loan for Stapenhill scoring seven goals in the process.
Tom Betteridge however will definitely miss tonight’s game as he continues his recovery from a foot injury picked up last week at Ibstock.
Gresley from: Hateley, Baldwin, Butler, Hill, Coulson, Barrett, Langford, Slater, Lyons, Gadsby, Turville, Woodall, Spencer, Gough, Powell, Weightman, Elliott, A Betteridge, Marshall, Land.
