Rocester vs Gresley FC
Rocester Youth 5 - 2 Gresley Youth
What started out as a promising night for Gresley Youth turned into a bit of a disaster as they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, a 2-0 lead obtained inside the first thirty minutes being overhauled and then obliterated by the home team in the space of a mad ten minutes in the second half.
However, the result and the match itself paled into insignificance following a nasty head injury sustained by Gresley's Jake Sharp with just ten minutes to go, a decidedly groggy and unwell player having to receive medical attention and eventually leaving for the hospital in the back of an ambulance - a sad sight indeed.
Both teams lacked penetration in the opening exchanges with the defences generally on top, although Luke Hemingway had to produce one of his customary top-drawer saves to prevent Rocester going ahead with a shot heading for the top corner.
Slightly against the run of play Rikki Birch opened the scoring for Gresley when he latched on to a fortunate through ball skimming off the head of a defender, broke free and fired home over the keeper.
Rocester's Matt Redshaw was looking dangerous and twice shot wide when clear of the defence, and Sharp also sent a speculative long shot wide for the visitors before Birch doubled his tally for the night as he took control of a loose ball, cut inside leaving defenders in his wake and blasted past the keeper.
A few minutes later and Redshaw finally did what he had threatened to do as he reduced the deficit after finding himself unmarked and through on goal, Gresley still going into half-time looking reasonably comfortable.
Two minutes after the break and the scores were level, an enforced defensive shuffle by Gresley being exposed when Redshaw fastened on to a loose ball and applied the finishing touch.
It was now open house for Rocester's strike force as they carved the visitor's defence apart at will, Sean Dannion on target twice within the space of a minute, the first after a goalmouth melee and the second being scrambled home after yet more indecision in the Gresley defence.
Heads began to drop and it was no surprise when Redshaw completed his hat-trick and the night's scoring for Rocester after several other chances had been scorned.
Gresley continued to strive for an impossible comeback, even with a player short, Birch putting wide and seeing a long-range effort just clear the bar and Sam Kirk on target with a stinging drive that produced a corner.
This young Gresley outfit are having to learn some harsh lessons which hopefully will stand them in good stead in the future and it's now onwards and upwards towards the next game.
Scorers: Redshaw 34, 47, 65, Dannion 56, 57 (Rocester); Birch 15, 30 (Gresley).
Rocester: Jessup, Brown, Johnson, Dannion, Price, R.Metcalfe, George, Bill (Crutchley 34), Greaves, Ridge, Redshaw. Sub not used: McCarron.
Gresley: Hemingway 7, Curtis 6, B.Metcalfe 6, Pearson 6, Hickman 6 (Bodill 46, 5), Simpson 6, Kirk 6, Davis 6 (Frewtrell 77 5), Jones 6 (Francis 68, 6), Birch 7, Sharp 6. Subs not used: Watson, Watts.
