Gresley FC vs Walsall Wood
Gresley FC 3 - 1 Walsall
Gresley Reserves returned to the Moat Ground for the first time since the 3rd September and also to winning ways after last weekend's defeat at Romulus.
Several changes were made with Alex Townsend returning in goal, Josh Garland had to move back into defence after Ryan Clemson broke down in the warm up, with returning captain Luke Clamp coming into midfield along with Ryan Rutland-Jones and Callum Jenkins who were both making their first starts of the season.
Two new faces appeared on the bench with youth team players Zack Yates and James Shakespeare being involved for the first time with the Reserves.
Gresley started well in the first half and took the lead in the 6th minute when Callum Jenkins' low free kick was parried away Walsall Woods keeper only for Josh Garland to smash home into the empty net.
Gresley thought they had extended their lead within ten minutes when a short corner routine between Harry Lansdowne and Harry Hughes, resulted in the latter putting a wicked cross to the back post where it was headed home but was ruled out correctly for offside.
The lively Harry Lansdowne, who was causing the 'Wood' defence plenty of problems on the left wing was forced from play in the 33rd minute when caught by dangerous tackle from behind, leaving the winger with two gashes in his leg.
On the stroke of half time Gresley keeper Alex Townsend had to make the save of the game back peddling to stop a looping header after some sloppy Gresley defending.
Gresley doubled their lead early in the second half when in the 51st minute Josh Dutton collected the ball on the left hand side of the Walsall penalty box before wriggling inside and his shot took a slight deflection off a defender and went into the far corner.
Within two minutes however Walsall Wood were back in the game when a corner from the right wasn't dealt with and from the second phase of the play, 'Woods' striker volleyed past the helpless Townsend.
Wood were now having their best spell the match as Gresley suddenly looked nervous, Alex Townsend was forced into action again when he saved from 'Woods' striker who's shot looked to be going wide anyway, after a mistake by goalscorer Josh Garland had let the Walsall frontman through.
The final goal of the game came in the 90th minute when a delicious right foot through ball from Ryan Rutland-Jones found Kane Lee in the right channel and the big front man shot across the keeper and into the far corner to seal the three points for his team.
The result sees Gresley Reserves sitting pretty in the Challenge Trophy Group A with 16 points from 18.
Gresley:
1. Alex Townsend
2. Luke Clamp (C)
3. Callum Porter
4. Ryan Rutland-Jones
5. James Hemingway
6. Josh Garland
7. Harry Hughes
8. Callum Porter
9. Kane Lee
10. Josh Dutton
11. Harry Lansdowne
Subs:
12. Ryan Clemson (Not Used)
14. Zack Hill (Used)
15. Zaki Evans(Used)
16. Zack Zates (Not Used)
17. James Shakespeare (Used)
