Gresley FC vs Rocester
Gresley FC 2 - 0 Rocester
The Reserves secured top spot in the Midland League Challenge Trophy Group A with a fine 2-0 win over league leaders Rocester Reserves at the Moat Ground.
Returning to the side was Callum Porter who slotted alongside James Hemingway at the back, Zaki Evans returned to the starting line up and there was places for new signings Leo Cobas and Ryan King, King was lining up against his brother and former Gresley Reserves player Matt King.
Gresley nearly went ahead in the opening minute of the game when a cross from the left was sliced onto his own bar and over by Rocester's left back.
The Romans keeper was the busier of two on display producing decent saves from Ryan King and Josh Dutton, Dutton also fired wide of the post after creating space inside the box.
Max Atkin in the Gresley goal had to race from his box to block from the onrushing Rocester forward George Teeney bravely.
Returning Moatman Ryan King, it was who broke the deadline in the 26th minute of the game when he was released in the left channel by a lovely ball from play-maker Zaki Evans, King raced though and deftly lifted the ball over the Romans keeper and the ball gently rolled into the net.
Atkin produced a great save before the half time break when he saved down low from close range when it looked a certain equaliser.
After the break it remained a tight affair between these two well accustomed rivals. The impressive debutant Leo Cobas had a stinging left footed drive from the edge of the area tipped onto the post by the Rocester keeper.
The game seemed to be petering out when Gresley sealed victory when Dutton turned his marker on the edge of the box and curled a lovely finish into the far corner in off the post.
The last notable action of the game was when Dutton was chasing a through ball and was caught high two footed by the Romans keeper, twenty yards out of his penalty area which he rightly was shown a red card for.
The result sees Gresley Reserves qualify for the semi-finals of the Challenge Trophy as group A, next time out (subject to change) we travel to Mickleover RBL Reserves for a Derbyshire Divisional Cup South quarter final tie on Saturday 10th December.
Gresley Goals: King 26, Dutton 85
Gresley
1. Max Atkin (C)
2. Ryan Clemson
3. Leo Cobas
4. Zack Hill
5. James Hemingway
6. Callum Porter
7. Ryan King
8. Josh Garland
9. Kane Lee
10. Josh Dutton
11. Zaki Evans
Subs
12. Joe Bale (Not Used)
14. Connor Ward (Not Used)
15. Luke Clamp (On for 8, 63 mins)
16. Harry Hughes (On for 7, 73 mins)
17. Sam Hammerton (Not Used)
