Rugby Town vs Gresley Rovers
Rovers Reserves travelled to Rugby on Wednesday night where many changes seem to be happening. Rugby's disappointing start to the season saw a number of players on trial. Six I believe signed on the night. One lad was recognised as a conference player and to be honest gave us the most trouble.
Gresley began again with the usual 4-4-2 and faced another 3-5-2. The team had been selected in such away that we were able to switch to a 4-5-1 very easily.
We began the game brightly and although their formation did give us some trouble it was worth the gamble as we were playing well enough to stick to our own game. Rovers probably should have scored early on when Kye Hall just headed wide from a Dave Williams corner. Dan cox also came close with a free-kick. Gresley had a lot of possession but failed to get an end result.
Rugby were dangerous too, especially down the flanks as the wing backs were quick. On one such attack their left wing back was fouled in the corner close to the box. The resulting free kick was headed home with some ease and we disappointingly went one behind.
We immediately changed to the 4-5-1 with Rowell dropping behind Hall. Hall did a terrific job as the lone striker, holding the ball so well and chasing down the last three defenders. Williams could push more and Santos playing wider could do the same. Also Santos matching Rugby's troublesome number 7 for pace, helped keep him quieter. We struggled for ten minutes but everyone worked extremely hard. It wasn't too long though before we grasped the formation and looked more and more comfortable with it. Chris Mawbey made a run the full length of the pitch that made Shawn Wright Phillips look slow.
Unfortunately no one could keep up with him to get on the end of his cross. Determination got the equalizer in the end. Hall and Rowell battled for the ball and when Rowell gathered it he pushed and forced his way past players to get into the box and stab the ball home. This was just before half time and so we went into the break on level terms.
The lads felt very positive and showed it in the second half. One of the best moves of the game saw the ball switch from wing to wing and Williams' diving header from a Santos cross just skimmed the foot of the post.
Defensively we did well and it always looked like we would get the break through. We thought it had come when Rowell beat a couple of players and going across the box looking for the shot was very clearly brought down. However, no such luck and an incorrect decision saw the game carry on.
Eventually though the lead came, Rowell picked up the ball in midfield and spread it wide to Williams. Williams cut inside and took the shot; a deflection saw the keeper only able to push the ball wide. Rowell who had continued his run was first to the loose ball and fired home from a very tight angle.
Gresley had the lead and were very determined to keep hold of it. Mawbey had to come off with cramp and Greg Smith filled in at the back with Paul Grosse. Andy Dunn dropped in the three in the middle. Dunn spread a couple of good wide passes that almost saw Santos and Williams further our lead. Eventually Hall was rested and Jordan Blair came right side as Williams moved to centre and Rowell up front.
Rugby pressed in the last five minutes without really any clear-cut chances. John Whetton came on for Rowell in the last couple of minutes. Whetton's pace helped hurry their back three and give us a breather. Whetton looks useful and has not yet been given a real chance to shine, but he will.
Final whistle blew and it was another good victory for the Reserves. Really pleased that we came back from going behind, despite not wanting to go one down. We showed good character, hard work and good team spirit with everyone playing their part in a decent win. Fully deserved.
Team: 1 Kennyson, 2 Miller, 3 Cox (c), 4 Mawbey, 5 Grosse, 6 Smith, 7 Williams,
8 Heer, 9 Farrell, 10 Hall, 11 Rowell. Subs: 12 Blair, 14 Dunn, 15 Whetton
