Gresley FC vs Nuneaton Griff
Gresley Reserves secured three Midland Football League Challenge Trophy Group A points with a 2-1 victory over division newcomers Nuneaton Griff.
The away team had been to watch the Moatmen's second strings opening game of the season against Alvechurch and set out with a game plan to match up like for like.
However, it was the home side who had the better of early chances when first Zaki Evans ran onto a flick by Kane Lee but his shot drifted wide of the post. Further chances for Lee and Josh Dutton were squandered.
Gresley did break the deadlock in the 20th minute when good pressing on left wing meant Gresley won the ball back high in the Griff half and Evans ran into the box before unleashing a powerful left footed strike that beat the keeper high at his near post.
Gresley didn't have to wait long to double their lead, as three minutes later Connor Hopkins, Evans and Lee sent Harry Lansdowne through and the young winger rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the empty net.
The scoreline could of been extended further before the break when Kane Lee missed from 3 yards when he connected with Lansdowne's low cross. Dutton dragged a shot wide when well placed and struck wildly over from the edge of the box when open.
After the break it was much more of a contest with both sides having half chances. But Griff got the next goal to give themselves even greater belief. In the 68th minute Marc Johnson ran onto James Hemingway's weak flick to his keeper, the Griff substitute managed to get enough on the ball when he stabbed the ball over the advancing Atkin, and the ball bobbled into the net.
Both sides had further chances, Evans forced the Griff keeper into the save of the match with a curling right foot shot when one on one. Griff best chance came when they robbed the ball on their left wing but the resulting cross was weak and Atkin claimed comfortably.
Scorers: Evans 20, Lansdowne 23
1. Max Atkin (C)
2. Connor Hopkins
3. Kieran Cronin
4. Zack Hill
5. James Hemingway
6. Ryan Clemson
7. Zakim Evans
8. Josh Garland
9. Kane Lee
10. Josh Dutton
11. Harry Lansdowne
Subs:
12. Connor Ward (not Used)
14. Callum Jenkins (not Used)
15. Marco Wilson (for 4 -63 mins)
16. McKlane Durdey (for 9 - 71 mins)
17. Harry Hughes (for 2 - 73 mins)
