Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Hinckley United
Saturday brought the visit of a Hinckley side currently sitting mid table and consistently performing well each week. Having already beaten Hinckley 1-0 away, the lads knew it was always going to be a difficult game against a side who like to pass the ball and play an attacking game.
Saturday saw the first team without a game and as such, Gary had an opportunity to give some of the first team lads a run out. Ian Pitt, Carl Slater and new boy Liam Walshe all featured along with fringe players Nathan Tate and Earl Alexander, both of whoms performances are suggesting a regular call up to the First Team.
The player list lended itself to an attacking approach which transpired into a 3-5-2 formation, a regular style in Gresely’s attitude of playing a fast, passing game and moving the ball across the pitch maximising on space to attack and command.
The game started out fairly flat with neither side really settling down and putting their foot on the ball. 20 minutes in however it was Gresley who began putting the moves together to get in behind the Hinckley back line and get the ball in the box. Like previous games this season, it seemed we were lacking the killer instinct in front of goal and the feeling on the bench was that halftime would be an opportunity to re-jig things to sharpen our teeth upfront.
On 30 minutes gone, Gresely’s persistence down the left side produced yet another cross to the near post which unlike previous efforts, wasn’t attacked by the Hinckley Defence, but by Liam Walshe. A strong and determined run across his marker found him at the front stick ready to head home a sweetly delivered cross from Alexander.
This woke the Gresley players up and made them realise that Hinckley were there to be had.
Mykey Pryce was clearly watching as with 40 minutes gone, a great run and shot proved too hot to handle for the Hinckley Keeper who’d done well so far.
Gresley went in at 2 – 0.
Second half saw the introduction of Ian Pitt for Home Debutant Andy Smith who’d shown he’d settled in well in only his second game for the Reds.
Gresley settled down quickly in the second half and began to enjoy some good spells of possession in the last third, consistently attacking the Hinckley goal but without a real venom which seemed to have been washed away by the earlier rain showers. This seemed to change 15 minutes in when Alexander and Tate began finding space down the left side and were proving too good for their markers.
This was emphasised when on 70 minutes gone, Alexander produced a tremendous cross right on the nose of Ian Pitt who from a yard out didn’t need directions to rattle the ball home with a thumping header.
Minutes after, the manager changed things around to ensure everyone made an appearance. Slater and Walshe came off and made way for Gavin Fox on the right side and Darren Hurr in the middle of the park, Andy Dunn now returning to his regular spot of Centre Mid and Yearsley now sitting behind the front two of Pitt and Pryce.
The game was shored up for the last 20 minutes with Hinckley making only sporadic appearances in the Gresley last third, a testament to the hard working midfield boys and the absolute dominance of the Reds’ back line trio of Greg Smith, Matt Shakespeare and Nathan Tate.
With 10 to go, Earl Alexander and Nathan Tate produced a move which highlighted why Gary Norton looks on these two as real candidates for regular first team action.
Tate picked the ball up in his own half and found a 10 yard pass to the feet of Alexander right out hugging the touchline. Nathan continued his run and had the ball returned to him by Alexander. Another two exchanges at pace left Alexander at the edge of the Hinckley 18 yard box with the ball at his feet.
A great piece of Teamwork and individual flare produced an opening for Earl to bury the ball in the bottom corner of the Hinckley goal, a very well executed drive and finish.
All in all it was a good performance across the park. We showed some moments of real quality and throughout the side, the work ethic was spot on.
The feeling that we need to hurt teams more in front of goal has not gone away and still causes concern in the dugout. Training will continue to address this issue and hopefully between now and the New Year, we can build on a great 2 months in the league and hopefully replace Tamworth at the top of the league.
At the end of the day, 2nd in the league represents a lot of hard work, grit and determination, but 1st place however will need a little more ‘Jous Jous‘.
Final Score:
Gresley Rovers Reserves 4
Hinckley United Reserves 0
Gresley from: White, Tate, Shakespeare, Smith, Dunn, Slater, Walshe, Alexander, A.Smith, Yearsley, Pryce
Subs: Pitt, Fox, Hurr
Johnny Phillips,
Reserve Team Assistant Manager.
