Gresley Rovers vs Mickleover Sports
Gresley Rovers Reserves 4 - 2 Mickleover Sports Reserves
Scorers: Richard Lonsdale; 3, 30, 37, Sean Doy 65
Gresley Rovers Reserves produced probably their best performance of the season with a fine 4-2 victory over second in the league Mickleover Sports Reserves.
Returning striker Richard Lonsdale capped a good display with a well taken hatrick.
Despite a weather induced winter break, Rovers began the game brightly, harrying their opponents. The Moatmen were rewarded with an early goal, Lonsdale received the ball from a long throw, and hit a firm shot from an acute angle which ricocheted of a defender into the roof of the net.
Rovers could, perhaps should have added to their tally; Doy hitting a long range shot which flashed wide.
Gresley's midfield, marshalled by first team regular Andy Simpson controlled the game. Their dominance showed on thirty minutes with a fine move. Hanslow gave a first time lay off to Simpson, whose perfectly weighted pass allowed Lonsdale to round the keeper, and efficiently finish.
Gresley did not let up though. Hanslow won a debatable free kick around 25 yards from goal. Lonsdale picked up the ball and continued to fire a wonderful free kick into the top corner, which left everyone at the Moat speechless!
This seemed to stun Mickleover into life, ex Gresley player Dave Williams looking menacing on the wing. A foul on him lead to a Mawbey yellow card. Mickleover won numerous corners, one of which was unlucky not to end in a goal. For the rest of the half, Gresley's three man defence of Mawbey, Fletcher and Gadsby stood firm. There was still time for Gresley to create another chance. A good move involving Holmes, Hanslow and Doy lead to the former testing the keeper.
A similar pattern to the first began the second half. Gresley worked hard to restrict Mickleover's passing game which threatened to pay dividends. Tom Allen was called into action to tip over a Sports effort.
Gresley slowly began to take control, and after great work from Daks Cannan on the right hand side, Lonsdale got to the bi-line, and fired a pass across the face of goal, where Doy arrived to put Gresley 4-0 up after just 65 minutes.
Gresley's midfield was again on top, with the accomplished James Manley pulling the strings. Holmes was replaced by Ingley after a bright display. Forwards Lonsdale and Hanslow were replaced shortly after by Hollis and Abs Cannon.
Despite the substitutions Gresley's flow wasn't disturbed, with Simpson dragging a shot wide (quite wide). Abs Cannon also registered a classy effort, just failing to hit the target.
Mickleover got a consolation with five minutes left. A poorly cleared corner was fired into the corner, denying Allan a clean sheet he deserved. A further Mickleover attack, ended up with a free kick and a second yellow card for Mawbey, leaving Gresley to face the last few minutes with 10 men. A good run and strike gave Mickleover a second with the last kick of the game.
Overall a superb Gresley performance, a young Gresley reserve side showing the effort, desire and ability for an improved second half of the season. Youth players Hanslow and Ingley, again performed well for the reserve side.
Rovers: 1. Tom Allan, 2. Daks Cannon, 3. Matt Holmes, 4.Lewis Gadsby, 5. Tom Fletcher, 6. Chris Mawbey ©, 7. James Manley, 8. Sean Doy, 9. Richard Lonsdale,
10. Richard Hanslow, 11. Andy Simpson.
Subs: 12. Sam Ingley, 13. Paul Hollis,
14. Abs Cannon, 15. Tom Astle, 16. Stuart Haywood (GK)
