Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Shepshed Dynamo
Gresley Rovers 3 - 0 Shepshed Dynamo
Scorers: Hemmings, Holmes 2
Gresley entertained Shepshed today in front of a decent size crowd, due to no first team fixture. Thanks for the support. Both Reserve sides seemed to have an equal influx of first team players. I thought Shepshed started the better of the two sides. Gresley have put in a run of very good performances lately, but it was inevitable that such a change in personal was going to upset the balance of the side. However, I think today the reserve players handled it a little better than in the past and the performances and attitudes of the first team lads was also very different.
As I say Shepshed started brighter and could have scored very early on, a cross from the right saw a point blank header superbly turned over from Pemberton in the Gresley goal.
It was really against the run of play when Holmes put in a cross, which Hemmings hammered home from a wide position. This was the first turning point and saw Gresley grow in confidence. Smith and Carter began to control the midfield more and more and Williams and Hemmings created danger from wide. It wasn't too long before Holmes linked up with Hall for a nice one - two and Holmes slotted home the second. Gresley looked on top and should have furthered their score. Even so it was Shepshed who were to have the clearest chance to score next. A Shepshed player was rashly brought down in the box and the penalty was given. Never going to doubt the result though as Pemberton made a terrific save low to his left, just confirming why he justifies his first team place. Almost immediately Gresley went on the attack and Holmes scored with a superb diving header. This killed the game off really, as Gresley went into the break 3 - 0 up.
We had enjoyed our best spell towards the end of the first half and although we started the second half ok, it seemed difficult to keep a flow going. A lot of stop starts didn't help this. Ten minutes in and Miller had to come off with an on-going injury. Smith moved to right back and Heer came on in the centre. (Smith and Heer have been an excellent midfield pairing and Heer was very unfortunate to have to start the game on the bench). Gresley really continued to control the game now, as there was little chance of Shepshed coming back. A couple of great passes from Carter really should have seen Hall get on the score sheet, but it wasn't to be.
More changes were made as Farrell was brought on for Williams on the right (although he is best upfront) and Rowell was brought on for Hall. Two more players' unfortunate to be on the bench. "Santos" had a very good chance to score but it probably came a little too early for him. Rowell looked good and got better as the game went on, probably a mistake on my part to not bring him on earlier. However, no one recently had deserved to be left out.
So final score was a 3-0 win and a good three points collected. Already achieved half of the total of points collected last season and only played five league games, so pleased with that. However, there is still so much work to be done it is frightening at times but with a bit of luck and hard work, we will hopefully achieve our goals.
Pleasing for our defence to keep a clean sheet and put in some solid performances. Still much to work on here but learnt a lot yesterday which is a real bonus. It is inevitable that confidence players become sometimes intimidated by the presence of first team players and they must learn to overcome that so they can play their natural game if they are to make the step up.
Others though thrive on playing with first team lads and that will be to their benefit. Praise has to go to Holmes, Hemmings and Carter. They performed well, showed good attitude and were helpful in the dressing room. This is more like how it should be. Thanks to them for that. Praise to, to Reserve lads left out. Always difficult but hopefully they will stay positive, bounce back and perform well in their next game. Most of them still young and one day they may find the boots on the other foot.
Thanks again for all the support, Dave Acton.
Team: 1) Pemberton, 2) Miller, 3) Cox(c), 4) Mawbey, 5) Grosse, 6) Smith, 7) Williams, 8) Carter, 9) Hall, 10) Holmes, 11) Hemmings, 12) Heer, 14) Farrell, 15) Rowell.
