Stretton Eagles 2004 vs Gresley Rovers
Stretton Eagles 2004 3 - 1 Gresley Rovers
Scorer: Morton
Team: Stu Haywood, Danny Gee, Ben Kinson, Karl Whymark, Tom Gregory, Gaz Jones(c), Olly Baum, Mark Shorthouse, Tom Fletcher, Rich Hanslow, Paul Morton
Subs: Dean Acton
With no less than four players away with the reserves and considering we were playing a team top of Division One we knew we had to be at our best to get any sort of result. So we started with Paul our lone striker, which paid off when Olly Baum took a freekick, which their keeper stopped but couldn't hold, and Paul Morton was quickest to react and on 5 minutes we were 1-0 up.
We competed everywhere and contained the opposition to only half chances and that's how it stayed until half time. The team talk was easy" just to keep playing how we were".
Started the second half and, to be honest, Stretton looked more committed than they did for the first 45 minutes and within 10 minutes had pulled level. We still played with great attitude and had a couple of chances before going behind to a scrambled goal so 2-1 it was.
Being a cup game we knew we needed to push for an equaliser and were caught on the break to make it 3-1.We replaced Tom Fletcher for Dean Acton and kept battling but 3-1 it finished.
Although we lost, many positive points came from the game, we proved that we've got a great strong squad and that we're good enough to compete with teams two leagues higher. Also we showed great attitude and discipline and again did Gresley Rovers proud.
Simon, Stretton's manager, came into our changing rooms after the game and said we're the best side he's played all season. Also after the game Lou (the referee) told Ivor and myself that you're a great credit and a bunch of talent so those two comments say it all. Well done all of you roll on next Saturday, Netherseal away keep it up!
Being a cup game we nominate MOM ourselves and it's hard to choose because all of you gave your ALL but I think Rich Hanslow just edged it with some good tackles and the amount of work he put in!
