Gresley Rovers vs Rushall Olympic
This has to go down to our best performance to date, certainly since I have been in charge. We stuck with the same formation as Wednesday night and made one forced change in personal. 16 year old Pat Rowell moved to play the lone striker role and Ryan Yearsley returned out on the left as a wide attacker. Rushall had beaten us 5-0 at the start of the season and completely humiliated us. The last thing we wanted was a repeat performance. Credit to the lads, they were all up for it and couldn't get out there quick enough Though our formation stayed the same our tactics were slightly different. Williams and Yearsley would defend a lot more and so have to put in a great deal of work. A lot depended on whether Rowell was capable of holding the ball up at such a young age and against a quality defence.
From the very start it would be our midfield that would dominate this game. Smith, Heer and Carter were awesome. Rushall played it across the back three with Rowell chasing it down, and then as soon as it was popped into the midfield, Carter, Smith or Heer were straight on it. After awhile you saw Rushall try to play it up to the forwards but immediately Grosse or Mawbey were onto it. This set the tone of the game, Gresley never allowed Rushall to settle for a second. The defence continued to be safe and disciplined and the balls from our full backs down the line were much better than in previous games. Choices are always important and players were making the right ones, when to play and when to clear.
Pat Rowell has improved with every game he has played and he would have hit the headlines for his display today. However, every single player was excellent today.
I honestly can't remember their strikers getting a shot in, and they are good strikers, well known from past experiences. Gresley were well on top and you just hoped the goal would come. Come it did, in some style. Good link up play between Carter, Rowell and Yearsley saw Rowell start and end the move with a great strike into the far bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Our midfield controlled the game and Rowell was not only holding up the ball but slipping players in too. Gresley made it two when Rowell held the ball and turned slipping in Williams who made no mistake with a great finish. Gresley played their formation perfectly, and kept up a great tempo allowing Rushall no time to play.
As the half drew to a close we just slipped a little looking a bit tired and were almost caught out but for a fine save from Kennyson. So 2-0 at half time.
We had been in similar situations in the past and it was a big step to see if we could take our performance one step further and maintain the excellent start. The difference today had to be our discipline from every single player to stick to his own task and perform it well. We new second half would see Rushall come at us and for the first fifteen they did. Our defence was more than up to the test, backed by such a hard working midfield we were never in too much danger. The killer blow came as we picked it up in midfield, playing it forward to Rowell. He turned and ran at the Rushall defence, then slipped in Yearsley who had made a great run to support him. Yearsley made no mistake and slotted the ball home.
Gresley were not done yet though, and when Rowell received the ball in the box he megged the defender only to be brought down. Suki Heer stepped up to fire home and round off another fine performance.
Gresley lost their way a little towards the end. Rushall scored but it was judged a foul on the Gresley keeper Kennyson who was then carried off. Greg Smith went in goals and Joe Miller came on in the middle. Smith pulled off a fine save, now having played in every position for Gresley. Rovers almost added a fifth when Nicky Carter hit a great shot from just inside the Rushall half. The keeper just managed to tip it onto the bar and it nearly went in for a second time as it hit him on the back and almost rolled over the line.
Gresley kept a clean sheet and had a fine 4-0 win. Pat Rowell's performance would have been the high light of the day. Unbelievable at this level at just 16 years old. Also though the contribution and terrific attitude of Nicky Carter has to be noted. His performance today and Wednesday were superb and he seems to thrive on that position. Today was a team effort though. Our midfield partnership or Smith and Heer are second to none. Yearsley made an excellent return. Williams has never looked back since moving to the right. He must earn two or three penalty shouts a game and so unlucky not to be given them at the moment. Our back four was spot on today. Defending well, making the right choices and passing so much better.
Hope we can push on from this, and take a lot from it.
Team: Kennyson, Gadsby, Cox, Mawbey, Grosse, Smith, Williams, Heer, Rowell, Carter, Yearsley, Miller.
