Gresley Rovers vs Ashbourne United Reserves
Gresley Rovers 3 - 6 Ashbourne Utd Res
Scorers: Hanslow, Morton, Smith (pen)
Team: Stu Haywood, Nath Holmes, Mark Shorthouse (c), Tom Gregory, Kyle Jones, Rich Hanslow, Todd Foster, Andy Morrison, Chris Smith, Paul Morton, Sam Ingley.
Sub: Dean Acton
It was our first game at home this season, and our preparations were hampered by the fact that the goal nets we normally use were missing. So after some phoning and running around we located some and the lads quickly set them up. We were again down to bare bones with several players needed to field the reserve fixture.
So the game got underway, and we never really got into things, so it was no surprise, after a sustained period of defending, that we went a goal behind. Everytime Ashbourne attacked we looked vulnerable and within 15 minutes were 2-0 down. We seemed hesitant and never got into the groove of
our normal passing game. We gave the ball away far too cheaply, and at times looked like we were low on confidence, which considering our result on Thursday I find puzzling. With 5 minutes left until half time Rich Hanslow ran at their defence and halved the deficit.
We started the second half with a little more promise and got it to 2-2 with a good finish from Paul Morton. We started to look a little better and passed it around more but our hopes were soon to be dampened when we went 4-2
behind. Rich Hanslow made another great run only to be fouled in the box so Chris Smith took the awarded penalty to make it 4-3.He then hit a great strike from some distance out, beating the keeper but not the crossbar. Ashbourne were running things and soon added another 2 to make it 3-6 as the whistle blew.
Well this week has been a real rollercoaster, Thursday was great but today I was a little embarrassed, and it's the first time I've felt this way. We seemed to have very little desire, and although we worked hard, there was no
sparkle out there today. We need to start believing in what we're about, and realise that we've gone to a higher division with teams in it that, as shown today, will punish us if we under perform. I know it's not helping that so many players have moved to the reserves, but we've got enough depth in our squad to beat anyone when we play as a team. It was great to see though, that we kept our discipline again. So lets bounce back, we're bottom of the league and we ALL know we're better than that!!!!
Mom: Rich Hanslow awarded by Ashbourne, however I think it must have been close between him and Kyle Jones who I thought was outstanding today.
