Gresley Rovers vs Oadby Town
Gresley Rovers 2 - 0 Oadby Town
Gresley Scorer: C White 2
Team from: Pemberton, Gadsby, Cheetham, Millns, Grosse, Cox, Heer, Miller, Williams, Elliott, White, Rowell, Vernon, Harrison, Whetton.
This was always going to be a massive game for Gresley and more so than ever with the disappointment of the last two weeks results. Gresley had let the chance to go top of the table slip away and were now in a must win situation if they were to stay in touch with the leading pack. There were a number of swops, player wise too, which wouldn't help. Still some quality came in so if we could find a decent blend then we were in with a chance.
Chris Mawbey was away, Andy Dunn injured, Greg Smith with the first team and Matt Holmes with the Youth Team. We had Andy Cheetham joining us at left back and Matt Millns at centre. So we felt pretty strong. Andy Elliott joined us on trial too. Joe Miller began his first game after a long lay off.
Oadby had a lot of changes in personnel and looked a very good side. Recent results told us this too. I thought they would stick to a 3-5-2 formation and so picked a 4-5-1 formation, which suited the personnel we had available and always seemed to work well against an opposition playing that formation. I'm a great believer in a team being able to change its formation depending on the opposition it faces, and having the players to do so. It is a great advantage and something we have learnt to do well this year.
The first half was a bit scrappy. As expected Oadby began well and we needed to sort things out and get used to each other as quickly as possible. The good thing was we never looked in danger at the back so it gave us time to build. James Pemberton as usual dealt very well with anything that did come through. Unfortunately though before the game had really got going Cheetham took a knock and had to come off. Danny Cox moved to left back and Kris Vernon filled in the hole.
We began to find our feet and Andy Elliott tested the keeper before too long. He came very close with a curling free kick. The formation worked well and got better as the game went on.
Oadby liked to play the ball out from the back, but had not looked too comfortable with doing so for much of the game. As the half drew to a close they tried to play out once more. This time Dave Williams closed down the left back very quickly and won the ball. He then whipped in a terrific cross, which was met by an equally terrific diving header from Chris White, which gave Oadby's keeper no chance. A great time to score. Just as we restarted the half finished.
Pat Rowell replaced Joe Miller in the centre of midfield at half time. We played better in the second half, especially early on. The main thing was we were very difficult to break down. White and Williams both came close, as did Milns each time we took a corner. Millns made a great run from the back only to be brought down on the edge of the box. White's free kick just missing.
With about fifteen minutes left Millns went on another run and this time after beating about four players just slipped in White. White's strength held off the defender, whilst he made certain of a goal with a powerful drive.
This was game over really. We did look tired towards the end but our defence held out. Andy Harrison replaced Williams and created a couple of good chances down the right but there was little more to be done in this game.
Good team performance, good attitude shown from first team players and an all-round good result. Really, very pleasing. Still can put in better performances football wise and we know it.
Shows how important the last couple of weeks could be, but we're still in the mixer as they say.
