Gresley Rovers vs Chasetown
Team: Pemberton, Vernon, Cox(c), Gadsby, Grosse, Smith, Dunn, Heer, Rowell, White, Mawbey, Holmes, Stephens, Hall, Miller, Acton.
Despite some last minute team changes, Gresley Reserves still managed to make a decent start to the New Year. Williams and Cheetham were called to the first team and McGurion (trialist) decided not to show. However, the reserve squad has a lot of depth at the moment and with the support of the youth side it was able to bring some players in at the last minute.
The game didn't start greatly, both sides looking like teams that had had a Christmas period off. In particular passing was poor. Even so it became fairly clear early on that Gresley would be able to command this game if they wished.
With about twenty minutes gone Gresley took the lead, a great cross from Andy Dunn was well met by Chris White. His powerful header shot into the far corner. White looked sharp once again and created a few other good chances. Mawbey, Rowell, Dunn, Heer and Smith all had half chances but nothing more was to come of them.
My biggest concern going into the break was the quality of our passing or the lack of it. Players had made some poor passes and seemed to lack confidence to pass as easily as they normally would. We hadn't had a bad first half but we all new we could do much better. Really wanted everyone to relax and enjoy the game more, this would hopefully lead to a better all round second half.
It certainly seemed that way. Early on Gresley took command, raising the tempo, speeding up the passing and driving forward. Gresley forced a number of corners and when one of Dunn's delivery's found Suki Heer on the back post it was sure to be Gresley's second. Heer chested the ball down and fired it home.
Almost immediately after White pulled the ball back for Rowell whose shot skimmed the foot of the post. Then White again getting round the back this time shot only to have his effort saved.
A third was always on the cards though, and when the Chasetown keeper cleared the ball straight to White he made little mistake in placing it home.
Chasetown didn't really trouble us too much. When they did our defence coped well, or their final pass broke down. Our 4-4-2 had worked well with Dunn coming inside to make up the third midfielder against Chasetown's 3-5-2.
Changes were made. Matt Holmes came on for the last half hour replacing Chris Mawbey. Again he put in another good show. Kye Hall replaced Chris White who didn't want to push things too much. Hall put in a couple of fine shots. Then Dalton Stephens came on for the last ten minutes replacing Dunn.
The last change made a difference as for the first time in the match we were left with two natural wingers. This left our two central midfielders out numbered and at a stage of the game when they would be tiring. Such changes allowed Chasetown back into the game and they finished the match with a positive final spell. This didn't worry me as we were still creating some good attacks and being three up the game was won.
It was however disappointing to concede a goal with a couple of minutes left.
Chasetown went down the left and I think the lad sliced a cross, which somehow ended in our goal. Still, Chasetown earned something for their efforts, though I would not have wished us to give them anything.
All round a good result and a good day. Well done to all and thanks for the support.
