Boldmere St Michael's vs Gresley Rovers
Boldmere St Michaels 3 - 2 Gresley Rovers
Gresley Scorers: Sean Doy, Abs Cannon
Line-up: Tom Allen, Daks Cannon, Sam Ingley, Chris Mawbey ©, Tom Fletcher, Josh Gregory, Sean Doy, James Manley, Richard Hanslow, Abs Cannon, Tom Astle
Subs: Paul Hollis, Sam O'Learly, Dave Flearly
Gresley went into the game looking to build on the superb 4-2 victory over Mickleover Sports the previous week. They were though without Andy Simpson, Lewis Gadsby (first team), hatrick hero Richard Lonsdale (injured), and Craig Tucker (suspended).
Rovers began the game reasonably well, with a couple of nice moves on either flanks involving Sam Ingley and Daks Cannon. However Boldmere opened the scoring, after Gresley lost the ball in the defensive third and were unable to recover, allowing a neat finish from the St Michaels forward. Gresley Tried to respond to this early setback, Gresley midfield of Tom Astle, Sean Doy, and James Manley tried to up the tempo. Some nice play and strong runs from Cannon on the right forced numerous long throws and corners. However Gresley struggled to create despite playing better football. The best effort was a long range half volley from Manley, which although on target didn't trouble the keeper.
Boldmere created the next chance forcing a top class save from Tom Allen; a close range stop from the in form keeper. For the remainder of the half Gresley huffed and puffed but couldn't replicate their attacking prowess from the previous week. Rovers defence of Chris Mawbey, Josh Gregory and Tom Fletcher improved as the half continued, and limited Bolmeres attacking opportunities. The half ended 1-0 to Boldmere.
Gresley came out for the second half wanting to cancel out Boldmeres advantage. Strong challenges from the Tom Astle and Chris Mawbey sent out a message of Gresleys intent. Early in the second half Gresley got back on level terms. Great work from Daks Cannon on the right, who had looked Gresleys most likely source of a goal, resulting in a cross which was headed out to Doy on the edge of the box who instantly controlled, fired an unstoppable half volley into the bottom left hand corner. Gresley tried to use this to their advantage and push on for a second victory however struggled to keep the ball. Hanslow worked tirelessly for little reward, as supply was stifled.
Astle was replaced by Paul Hollis, and forward Abs Cannon moved into the midfield to help Gresley regain control. Despite this Boldmere regained the lead. Neat play from the strike pair resulted in an efficient finish. This rocked Gresley. Sam Ingley was substituted and replaced by Sam O'Learly, and Abs Cannon returned up front. Player manager Dave Flearly was added into the fray in place of Hanslow to hopefully add some presence. Despite Gresley's best efforts they were unable to stop Boldmere adding a third and effectively putting the game beyond the young Rovers.
A late consolation for Gresley came after a fantastic run from Mawbey. A good cross was headed down to Abs Cannon for an emphatic finish. Overall a disappointing performance from Gresley given their performance the week previous. There was again no lack of effort; but the quality in certain periods of the game was not what was required to gain a positive result
