Gresley Rovers vs Little Eaton
An altered Reserves side lined up to face a revved up Little Eaton in the Quarters of the Derbyshire Cup.
It didn’t take long for an attacking Gresley line-up to create their first chance, and with it a goal. A quick ball from Carl Slater found Nathan Tate out on the right wing, and after being briefed on working on the quality of his crosses, Nathan curled a pacey low cross right into the path of Ryan Yearsley who gratefully accepted the gift to put Gresley one up.
The attacking shape of the Gresley formation began to show as time and time again, both wingers aided by their full backs began terrorising the Little Eaton back line. It seemed at times there were too may options for the man with the ball which was sometimes reflected in the indecisive nature of some of our final balls, something we will be working on over the next few sessions.
The pace of the Gresley play was proving too hot to handle for the Little Eaton side with Slater and Sandar running the show in the middle of the park with runners all over the pitch. John Branch was showing signs of aggressive front play and was proving a hand full for his markers on the right side, combined with Matt Moran, the left and right side began raining crosses in from all angles, inviting an attacking head to grab another.
It wasn’t long before Yearsley obliged, although with a goal of his own making. A strong decisive run into the box created enough space for a right-footed drive into the bottom corner leaving the Little Eaton keeper with no chance.
The first half was finished off with a flash of quality from Alexander. This time not only the provider, Earl danced his way past his marker and through the back line to drive his strike with impressive venom into the net, a well deserved goal.
3 up at half time, the talks in the dressing room focused on quality of finishing and composure in front of goal, the word 'toothless' summed up some of our missed opportunities. The work rate was high as was the quality of defensive and approach play.
The back four continued to keep good shape and structure throughout the game, Pickering and Shakespeare keeping the Little Eaton front two very quiet and allowing Branch and Tate to go forward at every opportunity.
The second half carried on as the first ended with wave after wave of Gresley attacks on the Little Eaton goal, Moran proving simply too good for his markers with a continual stream of pacey, undefendable crosses, again however, we needed a little more aggression in front of goal.
Introductions of Dunn, Adams and Bartram with 25 minutes to play paid no reflection the hard working Sandar, Pryce and Alexander who made way for the boys on the bench. Each having given a top performance and deserving to see the game through, fitness and experience however dictating everyone needed a run out.
It wasn’t long before Andy Dunn added his name to the score sheet with an impressive 20 yard drive into the top corner bypassing the mellay of players scrabbling for position in the box. Moran followed late into the game with a strong run and shot straight through the keepers legs, a well-deserved goal for his efforts.
This game will be remembered for the hat full of missed opportunities but at 5 – 0, it was a comfortable win. Little Eaton were out played, out classed and most importantly, out worked by the Gresley side which is the most pleasing aspect of the game for Simon, John and Dave.
Well done to all the players, here’s to 3 points against Hinckley on Saturday.
