Rushall Olympic vs Gresley Rovers
Team From: J. Pemberton, L. Gadsby, D. Cox, C. Mawbey, P. Grosse, A. Dunn, D. Williams, S. Heer, K. Hall, R. Yearsley, P. Rowell, V. Farrell, J. Blair, H. Macedo.
Gresley visited Rushall in the first round of the cup with the knowledge Rushall would be out for revenge for the previous defeat at the Moat. The injuries to Greg Smith and Joe Miller, were a blow and meant a bit of a swop round. Gresley played a 4-5-1, but unfortunately with the players moved about it didn't really pay off first half and they struggled to get enough men forward to trouble their opponents as much as they would have liked.
Set pieces seemed to be our best chance of a goal. Danny Cox put in a close free kick, which, just needed a touch, and then he headed inches wide a Dave Williams corner. Lewis Gadsby also went close from a corner.
Rushall had the better of the half though and took a lead from a good finish. They could have gone further ahead if they had made more of some half chances. Gresley's wide players were struggling to get forward and Greg Smith was definitely missed in the heart of the midfield. Dave Williams had had to move to a more central role and we missed his attacks down the right side. Suki Heer was awesome from the start, making some great runs and covering every blade of grass. Showing the way forward. One such run and a lot of spirit and determination lead to him being brought down by the Rushall keeper when a goal looked certain. However, the Ref waved play on, maybe had we been at home a different outcome might have resulted. We finished the first half one down.
A team talk at half time was more about effort than anything else, could we raise our game. It was time for players to stand up and be counted.
The second half began and it was a very different Gresley side who were clearly in the driving seat now. Players took responsibility for their own tasks and we were able to push forward. Andy Dunn had a great second half doing Smith's holding role. Heer and Williams lead the attack. Suki Heer went on another run and chipped in a lovely cross for Dave Williams to rise above the Rushall defence and head home. We were level.
From this point there looked only one side in it. Gresley almost went ahead when Ryan Yearsley was sent threw but fired inches over the bar. Another clear shout for a penalty was turned down, this time for a handball. Again the Ref waved play on. Gresley almost scored but the Rushall keeper was adjudged to have been fouled.
I introduced Santos and Blair both wide. Blair wasn't used enough to cause trouble. Santos created some problems and chances, but we just couldn't get that goal.
Then with four minutes left Rushall broke away off a Gresley attack. Despite a fine tackle from Grosse and a save from Pemberton, the ball broke loose and Rushall fired home. For the remainder of the game Gresley did everything to equalise but it just wasn't meant to be.
The Reserves did well today considering the changes and were very unlucky, however, we can bounce back and still have much to play for.
