Gresley Rovers vs Atherstone Town
On a cold, wet and dark afternoon and on a heavy, sodden, slick pitch there was not much hope of a good game, however both sides produced an entertaining flowing game of football full of action and incident.
Atherstone started the better and had the best of the opening exchanges. However, after a 5 minute spell of pressure which was soaked up the lads we started to get into the game and play some slick fast paced football which saw us draw a couple of good saves from their keeper. The football was zipping about on a wet pitch which helped us when we were able to get the ball down and play.
The half time whistle came at really the wrong time for Gresley as we were in the ascendancy at that time. The lads were moving well and closing Atherstone down in the right areas of the pitch, something that we had worked on in training which was pleasing to see by Martyn, Neil and I.
The only problems that Atherstone were posing us were from their 9 and 10 who had good pace and movement. They moved the ball well and put us under pressure when the ball was played to their feet.
Second half was more of the same and we started the half well. The game was moving to an exciting conclusion and then the breakthrough came. A corner from our right fell to Harley Hollinshead on the edge of the penalty area after we had had a build up of pressure for several minutes. Harley drilled a shot which after the keepers great save fell to Chris Burnham and he made no mistake and put us 1 ahead.
After this, we started to press a little more and could have had a second goal soon after. Then a terrible officiating decision let Atherstone in with an equaliser, their 9 found himself in a slot where he was at least 2 yards offside and just had a simple header and he made no mistake and made it 1-1.
After this the game went end to end and we again could have won it, but it fianlly finished in a well earned, hard fought draw against a good Atherstone side.
Great effort this week by the boys, the only thing that we have impressed on the players is that we have to convert the chances we make. We always make chances during games, but we have to make the opposition pay when we have them on the ropes. However, we are confident that this will come with a little more practice and confidence in front of goal. A special mention to Paul Hollis and Chris Burnham who really put a shift in today. I think that anyone at the game would agree that the lads are prepared to roll their sleeves up and fight for the cause.
Again thanks to those who braved the conditions to come to support, it is very much appreciated.
