Bloxwich United vs Gresley Rovers
Reserves vs Bloxwich
Rovers Reserves recorded a 4th successive victory by defeating Bloxwich Town in the League Challenge Trophy at Blakenall's ground. Mark Sheils made his 1st start of the season in goal with Matt Moran also featuring in order to get some valuable match fitness.
Gresley should have taken the lead after 30 minutes after an excellent pass down the right from Phil Lonergan resulted in Alex Hemmings pinpoint cross being wasted by Jon Jenkinsons mistimed volley when well placed in front of goal. However a minute later a run by Matt Moran was ended prematurely in the box and the resultant penalty was despatched by Phil Lonergan.
Bloxwich threatened after a period of sloppy play from Rovers which saw possession given away cheaply on a number of occasions. Indeed one such incident lead to the equaliser when Youth Team centre back Dave Kemp gave the ball away and Stuart Darby had a clear run on goal to beat Sheils with a neat finish.
James Lewesley should have put scored from an excellent whipped in free kick by Timms but his effort flew just over the bar. Rovers regained the lead on 52 minutes with an excellent move involving Earl Alexander and Carl Timms resulting in Alex Hemming curling a sweet drive past Chris Collins into the far corner of the Bloxwich net.
Mark Sheils was called into action on a number of occasions, in particular he made two smart stops from Darren Coxall to deny a Bloxwich equaliser.
Carl Timms released Youth team Striker Edwin Walker through one on one in the 82nd minute but the keeper made a smart stop to deflect the ball for a corner. Walker was again involved, this time finding Greg Smith well placed in the box on 86 minutes and the Striker should really have wrapped the game up but blazed his shot over the bar when it looked easier to score.
Bloxwich Utd Reserves: 1
Gresley Rovers Reserves: 2
Bloxwich Scorer: Darby (43)
Gresley Scorers: P Lonergan Pen (31), Hemming (52)
1 Mark Sheils
2 Danny Lonergan
3 Phil Lonergan
4 Dave Kemp
5 James Lewesley
6 Carl Timms (C)
7 Alex Hemming
8 Matt Moran
9 John Jenkinson
10 Mykey Pryce
11 Earl Alexander
12 Greg Smith
14 Edwin Walker
15 Gary Norton
Man of the Match: Danny Lonergan - excellent defending playing out of position at left back
