Coventry Sphinx vs Gresley Rovers
Gresley Rovers reserves eventually beat Coventry Sphinx reserves, in an extraordinary opening game of the 2007/08 season. The supporters at the game saw a match with some quality attacking play; often helped by some inept defending.
Rovers began the game with seven players with first team pre-seasons under their belts. Tom Allan, Adam Thorley, Luke Farmer, Tom Betteridge, Morgan Hurley, and Paul Kelly have all played in first team friendlies, with new signing David Blenkinsopp playing a large part on loan last season. Scott Harper, Tom Astle, Sean Doy, and Daks Kannon bought some familiarity to the reserves side.
Gresley began the game well and soon took the lead. Paul Kelly was too quick for the full back, and his cross from the by-line was expertly finished by Blenkinsopp.
The visitors continued as the better side, and should have increased their lead. It was Sphinx though who got the next goal. A challenge from Farmer bought about a penalty which was duly despatched.
Gresley found their shooting boots soon after. Hurley was put through on goal, and he made no mistake from the edge of the area. A slick passing move on the edge of the area, involving one touch passes from Doy, Kelly, and Hurley put Blenkinsopp through. His shot was saved by the Sphinx keeper, but the ball ran for Hurley to bag his second of the game.
At this point Rovers should have made the game safe, but lax defending from a corner allowed Coventry back into the game at 3-2.
A sixth goal in a frenetic opening half hour, came as Blenkinsopp pounced on a poor back pass to round the keeper and put the ball into an empty net.
Incredibly the scoring wasn't over for the first half. After netting again to make it 4-3, Sphinx were awarded a dubious penalty for hand ball which was again put away.
The half time whistle went with the score at 4-4 and Rovers wondering how they weren't winning the game comfortably.
Early in the second half, it was Sphinx who took the lead for the first time in the game. Again loose marking from a corner allowed a Coventry player to put the ball in the net despite the best efforts of a defender on the line.
Gresley made their first substitution of the game with Jack Moylan replacing Scott Harper. Rovers did not have to wait long for an equaliser. Kelly again did well down the left, and when his cross was not properly cleared Blenkinsopp's overhead kick found the bottom corner to complete his hatrick.
After this there was a brief respite with no goals scored for fifteen minutes. Matt Holmes and Chris Nicholls replaced Tom Betteridge and David Blenkinsopp.
Rovers again took the lead. Kelly's pass found Hurley on the right hand side of the area. He cut in onto his favoured left side and curled the ball into the top corner for 6-5, and for a second hatrick of the game.
Gresley wrapped up the win with a fine individual effort from Hurley. Receiving the ball on the half way line, there seemed little on for the forward. A burst of pace, and some strong play, found him one on one with the keeper, and he made no mistake to complete the scoring.
A first opening day victory for the reserves in five years will be welcomed by manager Dave Fleary, but he will not be happy with the manner of the goals conceded, and the inability to close down the game when at 3-1. After such an opening game; it could turn out to be an eventful season for the reserves.
Scorers: Blenkinsopp 3, Hurley 4
1.Tom Allan 2.Adam Thorley 3.Scott Harper 4.Luke Farmer © 5.Tom Astle 6.Sean Doy 7.Tom Betteridge 8.Daks Kannan 9.David Blenkinsopp 10.Morgan Hurley 11.Paul Kelly 12.Matt Holmes 14.Jack Moylan 15.Chris Nicholls
