Gresley Rovers vs Dart Inn
Gresley Rovers 3 - 2 The Dart
Scorers: Matt Holmes, Tom Fletcher, Mark Shorthouse
Team Tom Allan, Danny Gee, Carl Wymark, Tom Gregory, Gaz Jones(c), Nath Venning, Tom Fletcher, Matt Holmes, Steve Pepper, Mark Shorthouse, Chris Smith
Subs: Stu Haywood, Dean Acton, Zak Venning
Today we played The Dart in the Marstons Junior Cup and looking at their results we knew we needed to be at our very best to get a result. We were boosted by the very welcome return of Matt Holmes, who has been making
regular appearances for the reserves.
We started off, to be honest, second best with The Dart pressing forward and creating half chances. We held our nerve against, what I'd call, a very physical and intimidating side and although at times were under
pressure we never looked threatened. They pushed up and played the off side with good effect, but I knew with our pace we'd spring it. On about 20 minutes, Matt Holmes did just that and coolly finished a one on one with their
keeper, so we were 1-0 to the good.
With 15 minutes to half time, Matt again broke through, only for their keeper to bring him down outside the penalty
area. The referee had no choice to show their keeper the red card, but from our resulting free kick, we never really tested their stand in keeper!. So at half time we were still 1-0 to the good.
Straight from their kick off we conceded a goal to make it 1-1, and I thought what a great test it would prove. However, my belief in the lads showed because we responded in such a positive way that we was soon causing them all sorts of problems. We went 2-1 up when Tom Fletcher scored a coolly taken goal and we were unlucky not to add more, with the stand in keeper making some great saves. They continued to play the off side game, and it was their
downfall, when Mark Shorthouse broke clear to make it 3-1.
They had no option but to attack and made it 3-2 after Tom Allan had made two great saves and was so unlucky when the second fell to their striker who netted.
So with 12 minutes left and leading 3-2 we needed to dig deep and battle, and the lads did exactly that!. We held on to our lead and I think we were the rightful victors in a hard fought game.
So today we won against, a well organised physical side, who are sitting in a comfortable position in a league above us! They were mouthy and tried to intimidate us, but it never bothered us because we did what we do best, and
that's play quality football. Today we again showed great attitude and team work and proved how good we are!
I thought our defence was superb again, with comments like" the best centre halves we've played against all season" off the opposition being heard after the game.
So summing up, we've got a great defence, great midfield, and great attack and just as important great team spirit and attitude. We need to keep it up though because complacency can be our downfall, so lets keep it up for the game against Shobnall next week! Well done though and the result was a true reflection on the game, and I think the referee was good today too.
Again being a cup game Ivor and me nominate MOM and we've spoke about it and can't because it would be so unfair to name any one player because it's a team game and that's what we are a TEAM all 15 of you!
