Mickleover RBL vs Gresley FC
Mickleover RBL 1 - 4 Gresley FC
Gresley Reserves returned to Mickleover RBL to replay their Derbyshire Divisional Cup South quarter final tie, after the first tie has been ordered to be replayed.
Harry Hughes moved to right back and Kane Lee and Ryan King returned to the side.
The game very much resembled the first tie throughout, Gresley started well and created a few good chances before they took the lead in the 10th minute when a cross from the left was only glanced away by the home defence to the unmarked Josh Dutton who volleyed the ball back across the keeper into the far corner.
Dutton then had a chance to double the lead when he got free on the left breaking into the box but didn't connect with his shot and the ball drifted wide of the near post. Ryan King then had a glorious chance to extend the lead when his quick feet beat the full back and he cut into the box and then beat another 2-3 defenders but when he finally did shoot he blazed over the bar when surely anywhere on target he would scored.
The home side got a foothold in the game with Atkin having to make a fine block when one on one with the lively RBL frontman Dhanoa.
Only a few minutes later the home side drew level when a inswinging corner from their left hand side was headed home from close range.
In the remaining minutes of the first half both sides missed further chances.
After the break RBL were reduced to ten men within a few minutes when skipper Green miss controlled and he grabbed Dutton cynically when he was through on goal.
Gresley had more and more possession now but RBL were still a threat with the the busy Dhanoa.
With around twenty minutes left the home side had another player shown a red card for a second bookable offence when he inexplicably threw the ball into Kane Lee's face after been given a free kick following a slight pull from the hard working Gresley front man.
Gresley had a few half chances, but a dogged home defence, some wayward shooting and sloppy passing was keeping the score level
Harry Lansdowne produced Gresley's best moment when he cut inside from the left and let fly with a powerful shot that the home keeper did very well to tip over the bar.
The home side nearly broke on the stroke of full time but a combination of Atkin racing from his line and the pacey Harry Lansdowne saved the day.
In extra time Gresley finally made the breakthrough in the 101st minute when Dutton created a yard of space and his shot on the turn beat the RBL stopper.
In the second period of extra time Gresley made certain of a semi final place with a fine individual goal from Ryan King when cutting into the box by the byline and beating the keeper from a acute angle.
Zaki Evans grabbed another goal late on when a cross from the right found him and his volley on the swivel flew into the net.
In all honesty the score after extra time flattered Gresley but they move onto a semi final next Saturday (14th January) v a strong Melbourne Dynamo, currently top and unbeaten in Midland Regional Alliance Division 1.
Gresley Goals: Dutton 10 mins,101 mins, King 109 mins, Evans 116 mins
Gresley Reserves
1. Max Atkin (C)
2. Harry Hughes
3. Leo Cobas Ladrero
4. Zack Hill
5. James Hemingway
6. Ryan Clemson
7. Josh Garland
8. Zaki Evans
9. Kane Lee
10. Josh Dutton
11. Ryan King
Subs
12. Joe Bale (Not Used)
14. Luke Clamp (for 7, 56 mins)
15. Harry Lansdowne (for 4, 61 mins)
16. Callum Porter (Not Used)
17. Connor Ward (for 11, 110 mins)
