Match Photos
Chasetown vs Gresley Rovers
Gresley Reserves travelled away again. This time to Chasetown where they had suffered their only defeat under the new management.
Conceding a late goal after playing most of the game with ten men. It would see again a much depleted reserve side facing Chasetown with Cox and Heer joining the first team and Harrison unavailable and Draycott still on the long term injury list.
We were hopeful that Andy Marlowe and Chris White would be able to join us today but unfortunately it was not to be. Still, the atmosphere among the players is very positive at the moment and we feel confident we have a good chance against anyone.
The game started well for Gresley when, after only four minutes, a Jak Ward corner, was met by Joe Miller who volleyed the ball over his shoulder and into the Chasetown goal to give us the lead. This clearly upset Chasetown who were looking for a win today to take them into second spot.
Gresley defending solidly with Dunn, Gadsby, Miller, and Mawbey giving nothing away and turning defence into attack with some smart play. At this time Chasetown had a lot of play in the centre of the park, but Phil Merry was having a good game and Adrian Colley was beginning to find his feet in his first start for the club. Alex Bolt and Ryan Yearsley were always going to be dangerous upfront for us.
As the game progressed a few heavy tackles went in and things got a little heated. Chasetown received the first booking, and then with about ten minutes of the first half remaining, a late but similar challenge from Alex Bolt saw him receive a red card. The decision disappointingly helped by the Chasetown management.
Gresley held out for the next ten minutes or so until half time came. The first thing to do was for us all to calm down, myself included and focus on the best way to repay them - by winning the game. We knew what we could achieve and have been here with ten men before.
About ten minutes into the second half we had a re-shuffle, switching to a 3-4-2.
Unfortunately with about fifteen minutes gone we conceded a very sloppy goal. Chasetown played a ball along the floor into the box which could easily have been cleared; instead everyone watched it go straight to the Chasetown forward who slotted home.
At this point it looked game over, heads dropped a bit and Chasetown came very close to wrapping things up. However, some quite superb goalkeeping from James Pemberton kept us level. After this and as the game drew to a close we actually looked very steady. Adrian Colley had a fantastic second half, really coming into his own. Up and down and some quality passing.
With about eight minutes left Andy Dunn played a ball down the line to Johnnie Guthrie who took it into the corner and then worked the goal line beating three players and side footing a simple pass for Yearsley to chip over the advancing keeper. A terrific goal. A few seconds later Guthrie did the same thing again only to see his left foot shot this time just go over the cross-bar. There was no way the lads were going to let this game go now. Sean Barrett came on for Yearsley with about five
minutes left and should really have sealed the game when Guthrie slipped him in with only the keeper to beat.
Soon after the ref blew, and a great team effort saw us gain another three points in the league.
Special mentions today to Pembo, a different class. Also to David Clay for some excellent coaching in a difficult situation and to all the players for once again achieving another very special performance.
No surprise win for me, a win I expect from the quality shown by these lads.
Chasetown (0) 1
Gresley Rovers (1) 2
Team: Pemberton, Dunn, Mawbey, Gadsby, Miller, Ward, Guthrie,
Merry, Colley, Bolt, Yearsley, Barrett and Rowland.
Gresley Scorers: Miller and Yearsley.
