Gresley Rovers vs Crown Inn
Gresley Rovers 2-0 The Crown
Scorers: Morton, Foster (pen)
Team: Ian Parker, Joe Tomlin, Danny Gee, Rich Foster, Dave Hatfield (c), Tom Fletcher, Josh Gregory, Sam Worth, Joe Swift, Paul Morton, Sean Rudge
Subs: Dan Woodings, Nige Brewin, Craig Harrison, Mark Shorthouse, Chris Smith.
We were at home today against The Crown, with our heavy defeat earlier this season against them fresh in my mind. Team selection was difficult; because of injuries and other commitments we were missing several players. On the plus side of things though we were able to name Mark Shorthouse on the bench after a lengthy injury.
We knew that Dave (their manager) had a very hardworking team, so we said before the game that the key was to match their work rate.
The game got underway, and early exchanges were very even, although at times both teams were guilty of giving the ball away too easily. If I was being honest, it was quite dull with neither team having a goal scoring chance.
We had plenty of possession, but lacked the final quality ball in the last third, but on the plus side our defence coped with relative ease with their forwards. Sam Worth took a crude challenge, for which their player was rightly booked, but got up and got on with it. We had a couple of half chances but never really looked like troubling their keeper.
At half time we made our first change replacing Rudge for Woodings, this Nigel and me had agreed before the game had commenced to give them equal pitch time.
Second half got underway, but every time we went forward, we were caught off side, which is something we need to work on. Things were still very even, as both teams struggled to break the deadlock. Dan Woodings broke the off side trap, and with only the keeper to beat, scuffed his shot harmlessly wide (only 16 years old and learning fast and as I said afterwards if he makes chances like these they will come for him).
It was then that The Crown had their best chance, again beating our off side but Parker was more than a match for the advancing striker.
With 15 minutes to go we made another change, replacing Fletcher for Brewin, which was a little harsh on Fletcher who had shown how good a central midfielder we know he is. As the game ran its course, it took a bit of individual skill to unlock their defence. This came via Morton, who turned his defender inside out, and slotted home from an acute angle. It was a goal worthy of taking the lead by the accuracy of the finish.
So 1-0 up with only 10 minutes to go, this was going to be a test of our character, as our opponents upped things. Gee made a great clearance (at the cost of an injury), which I feel, was ill timed and not malicious. What happened next was quite obscene, as their players tried to call him a cheat and insisted on trying to drag him up. Punches were thrown (not by us thankfully) but I thought the referee dealt with things sensibly.
With his injury, Gee could take no further part, so we made our last change replacing him for Harrison. This meant Worth dropping to right back (more than capable as we know), and with The Crown still trying to get back on terms, Gregory played Woodings in behind. As he headed towards goal, he was battling against their defender, and as they both went down the ref awarded us a penalty (not too sure if it was but happy to take them). So up stepped Foster to make it 2-0 with the last kick of the game.
So today a very pleasing result against a good team, and it shows that we've come a long, long way this season. This isn't by fluke, it's a combination of things, our skipper needs to take a lot of credit for our better performances (because he's a born leader) but also you need a big pat on your backs (all of you) because you showed patience and maturity today. We work hard at training sessions and today you can see that plays a vital part, but today the work rate from everyone pulled us through to a great result. There's more to come I'm sure, so keep showing this form and we'll see that results will reflect. Well done let's push on to the "next level" because I'm certain you're more than capable.
MoM: Joe Tomlin, not too many times I agree with opposing managers, but I think Dave got this spot on. Great defensive role in an excellent back four, but today on numerous occasions turned defence into attack!! Well-done mate much deserved.
