Gresley Rovers vs Rolleston Cricket Club
Gresley Youth 0 - 2 Rolleston CC
Team: Ian Parker, Jack Moylan, Kyle Jones, Carl Wymark, Danny Gee, Tom Astle, Todd Foster, Matt Holmes, Alex Peplow, Dean Acton (c), Matt Grice
Subs: Joe Tomlin, Luke Taylor, Sam Worth
It made a pleasant change to be able to play at home, with the recent weather the pitch was less than perfect, but although boggy it was playable. We opted to make Dean captain (as it was his 18th birthday) and we were again in good spirits before the game.
I had a headache sorting the squad out on Friday night, because we're lucky enough to have a large number to choose from. Stuey Haywood injured his hand in training so Ian Parker was given the goalie shirt. With a heavy heart I'd left two regulars out the squad (basically because they don't come training)and for no other reason.
So to the game, Martin and myself had opted to go for the same formation we used against Red Lion, which was 3-5-2.This left us a strong midfield, and worked well the last time. So as both teams settled into things it was a very
even affair with some good football, but for the first 20 minutes, neither team created any real chances. If anything we had more of the posession, and for brief spells played some slick passing football but again just lacked the cutting edge in the last third.
We were forced into an early substitution when Carl Wymark injured his thumb which meant bringing on Luke and dropping Tom into the back three. This never really hindered us, because as I know Tom can play at the back. So with a couple of minutes before half time Ian made a great save, which was probably the only clear chance of the half.
Second half got underway and if anything we seemed a little less workman like, as we allowed Rolleston into the game a little more. However we were still matching them and passing the ball around well. As we were on the
attack we gave away the ball cheaply in midfield, and with us being out of position, Rolleston got players forward and despite our defence's best efforts they scored. So with 20 minutes gone we were behind to a sucker punch, and if anything slightly against the run of play. They added another 5 minutes later from a sweetly hit volley leaving Ian helpless. So we had about 20 minutes left to get back into the game, and we made two subs swapping Dean for Sam and Todd for Joe. We went close a few times but we either lashed at it or on two occasions their keeper pulled off great saves. Tom was unlucky when he hit the upright, and Alex seemed to be fouled when all he had to do was sidefoot the ball in, but the ref never gave the penalty (and being honest he had a better view than me).
So again we never got anything from the game (getting all too familiar I feel) but again we played well. We switched off a little and it cost us two goals, but experience will help us with that. Every player I feel can take a huge amount of credit from today because the last two performances have shown improvements. We just need a little bit of luck and a little more composure in front of goal and we could of taken points from both games. However I am honest enough to say that we need someone to get us goals because as we all know they win games. As unlike previous weeks I actually took pride again today because things are beginning to take shape, we have strength in depth and certain players continue to improve, and the work rate was fantastic from ALL. Every manager say's how good we are (easy when they beat us I know) but I honestly think they are being honest!!.
We held our heads high till the end and that you can be proud, and everyone is still upbeat about things which shows your character so we are at home again Sat against fellow strugglers Lichfield Brenstar lets keep up the
belief and turn things round!!
Mom: Matt Holmes, worked his socks off (as always) and created problems with his trickery all game and was unlucky not to score, when he was fouled he just got on with things so keep it going Matt and well done.
