Gresley Rovers vs Tamworth
Gresley Rovers 1 - 2 Tamworth
I know that its been said a thousand times but this was definitely a game of two half's.
Tamworth started very well and looked the more hungry side, they moved forward very quickly and in numbers, creating a couple of half chances early doors. Gresley defended very well as a team but being under pressure from the off found it hard to get forward to help the lone striker.
Tamworth made the breakthrough with a fortunate goal from long- range. After riding a couple of tackles on the centre circle the Tamworth midfielder toe poked the ball forward after running out of room and the ball floated into the top left hand corner leaving Gary Twigg little chance. Tamworth continued to press up to the interval and were very physical closing down quickly, this gave us a few talking points at half time, little things that needed to be addressed to make a bit of difference. We had only one shot on goal in the first half and that was not good enough.
Second half saw Gresley nearing the ability they had showed in their last game and shaking off the cobwebs of long periods between games. We managed to get more physical and break forward in numbers, starting to create chances and turn Tamworth's defence, unfortunately is was all in vain as Tamworth were awarded a penalty after a hand ball. Tamworth went 2-0 up and this was a mountain to climb against a top side. As we put more pressure on, the breakthrough came for us when Jack Coulson struck a sweet half volley into the bottom left. Tamworth went through every way of wasting time they could and they looked very nervous towards the end. A late free kick then saw Lewis Gadsby head over from close range and a goalmouth scramble that saw the keeper apparently injured and time beat us in the end.
We had only played ten fixtures before this game and it is very difficult to keep any form of run together, especially when local rivals Stapenhill were putting a great run together and had managed to play all but three of their games (17), two of which are against our good selves. As a youth team it is not our target to win every game but to coach and progress players that we think have the ability to break through the ranks at the club, unfortunately winning games is one of the best ways of attracting players and at this level it is a vicious circle on being able to keep players for a couple of seasons, and then its very hard to build around those quality players as they move up the ranks.
Next game sees us at home to Stapenhill on Monday 21st March 7.30 k.o. Please come and give us your support
Rovers performance rating 4/10 first half, 8/10 second half.
Mentions must go to top performances from Nathan Crute, Lewis Gadsby and Lee Mitchell, well done.
Dean Amess (asst manager)
