Boldmere St Michael's vs Gresley Rovers
David Clay and I had our first league game in charge today, which saw us visit Boldmere St Michaels. Always one of the top sides and one of the toughest games of the season. I believe they had already beaten the Reserves earlier in the season, scoring seven. The fact that their first team had no fixture so some players were obviously available, just added to our already growing problems. Injuries to Rich Draycott, Alex Bolt and Jak Ward did us no favours. Neither did the absence of Joe Miller through family commitments.
However, the late but well appreciated release of Sukhy Heer from work duties was a major plus.
Gresley Reserves welcomed the return signing of Ryan Yearsley as part of our team plan, and new boy Scott Berriman and trialist Sean Barrett. Added to our bench was a debut for Youth team player Lee Mitchell and under 16's Matt Holmes and James Rowland.
Gresley began the game really well. Boldmere were always going to win the physical game, but Gresley showed the more footballing ability and as soon as they had possession, played some nice passing football to create some good chances. It was right just then to see Gresley take the lead. A good move down the right saw Johnie Guthrie move inside and screw a shot across the box. It fell to Ryan Yearsley who hit it first time to see the keeper "megged" and the ball cross the line. For a minute, we looked around and it was almost a case of disbelief. We had taken the lead. We continued to create good chances and maybe could and should have been at least three up allowing for misses. Both Yearsley and Berriman forcing the Boldmere keeper into some good saves.
Our only real down side for me at this point was that we chased the game when we had no need and we were caught out of position more than we should have been. Allot more patience was needed. Sukhy Heer and Phil Merry did well again against Boldmere's three midfield.
It was disappointing to see Boldmere equalise with about ten minutes of the half to go. This was an unbelievable confidence blow. The lads looked as though it was game over and they were about ten down. To be fair, for the next ten minutes we could have been but for some terrific saves from Pemberton and super stops on the line by Harrison and Mawbey. We did hold out and managed to get to half time on level terms.
The half time team talk was more about making us believe in ourselves than anything else. Also about holding positions, playing to our strengths, and being patient. Patience was the key word. Second half was played almost perfectly tactically. Boldmere came at us for about twenty minutes but the back four of Cox, Harrison, Gadsby and Mawbey were solid and with Heer sitting just in front and Pembo behind we looked in little trouble. As the game went on Boldmere began to run out of ideas and substitutes. We made one change, bringing on Mitchell for Barrett.
This gave us a fresh pair of legs in the midfield and Mitchell soon started to add to our performance. We now started to create more and more and you really could see us getting more than a draw.
A fine through ball saw Berriman force his way through the defence, to finish with an excellent chip over the keeper and give Gresley the lead with about five minute left. Gresley almost made it three when Yearsley forced the Boldmere keeper into a fine save. However, from the clearance Boldmere almost equalised, but for a brilliant brave save from Pembo, who I think was so determined not to let go of the win he would have done anything.
Soon after this the whistle went and the look on the Gresley players' faces was the most satisfying sight I could have wished to have witnessed. We still have much to do, but in terms of confidence alone, this has done loads towards helping us reach our goals. A great way to get our first three points.
Team: Pemberton, Cox, Harrison, Gadsby, Mawbey, Merry, Heer, Barrett, Guthrie, Yearsley, Berriman, Mitchell, Rowland and Holmes.
Final score:
Boldmere St Michaels 1 - 2 Gresley Rovers
