Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Tipton Town
Gresley scorer: Williams.
Team from: Pemberton (c), Vernon, Mawbey, Gadsby, Grosse, Smith, Heer, Williams, Dunn, Hall, Rowell, Cox, Holmes, Baum, White.
After the disaster of last week changes were made as stated. There was a welcomed return for some players. Chris White returned from injury to the bench. Kris Vernon returned and slotted in for a start at right back. Greg Smith also returned after being much missed last week. 16 year olds Matt Holmes and Ollie Baum were added to the squad too.
We began with a 4-4-2, Chris Mawbey moved to left back. I very much wanted to get my full backs attacking without leaving us too exposed at the back. Our midfield four would play a bit more narrow to allow for the over laps.
We were very focused and determined today and started the game with great tempo. We closed Tipton down early, forced errors and rained in attack after attack. In particular our over lapping full backs were creating lots of problems. Our passing was much better, quick short one-two's, this lead to better creativity and better chances.
Pat Rowell was slotted in a couple of times and was very unlucky not to score. Williams and Smith twisted and turned a few times creating allsorts of chances. While Heer and Dunn were adding their own chances to the game. The most joy of all though was coming from Chris Mawbey down the left. His pace and trickery was great to see. On one of many attacks he played a simple one-two round the defender, got to the by-line and hammered over a low hard cross. Dave Williams did excellent coming in from the other wing to convert the chance.
Tipton's only form of attack seemed to be a long ball from the keepers kick. We didn't deal well with this early on, but eventually Gadsby, and Grosse got the measure of it. Vernon looked better as the game went on and made a good debut. We lowered our tempo for a short spell and Tipton could have equalised, but for a smart save from Pemberton, who was starting as captain for today. However, we picked things up again and finished the half well.
At half time we looked like we had worked hard at a good tempo and it would be difficult to keep it up. We could have done with that killer second goal. We started the second half well, much similar to the first. However, with about fifteen minutes gone, Tipton came back into things. We looked a bit tired and had lost our way a little compared with our first half performance. Sitting deep we allowed Tipton to come at us and could have conceded a goal during this period.
We didn't though and continued to work hard. Danny Cox slotted in for Chris Mawbey who unfortunately had to come off injured. Chris White replaced Kye Hall. The last fifteen minutes saw us come back to life and we could easily have finished 4-0 up. White looked strong and sharp and was unlucky not to score. The Tipton keeper made some great saves. Both White and Dunn went through and were denied by quality saves, maybe pull backs should have been the better decision but the efforts were good.
With the last five minutes remaining, 16 year old Matt Holmes replaced Dave Williams. His first contribution was to use his pace and chase and hold a through ball to the corner. He held it well and then with great skill, turned the defender and pulled the ball back for White whose effort looked a goal all the way, but for another good stop from the Tipton keeper.
The final whistle went and we had had a good result and a good performance. Lots of positives. We were better going forward. Kept a clean sheet. Good first game for Vernon. Good young players making the step up. Good return for Chris White. Great performance from Chris Mawbey, especially first half. Also a special mention for the performance of Greg Smith who I thought was absolutely awesome today, and this has been consistent of his season.
Good result, well done to everyone.
