Match Report  |  Lye Town vs Gresley FC

by Alfie Burley

Kyle Parchment’s second half strike ensured Gresley claimed a crucial three points in a huge match in the relegation race.

A game crucial in the race to stave off relegation saw the visitors claim a vital three points. Kyle Parchment, a second-half substitute, struck low and hard into the bottom corner to make sure Gresley wouldn’t rue their miss from the penalty spot in the first period.

With nerves showing for both sides at the start of the game, Lye created the better chances initially. Hammerton had to be alert very early on with the ‘keeper smothering a shot from Joe O’Neill. However, the next opportunity that fell the home side’s way could only be watched by Hammerton who gratefully saw Ryan Bridgewater shoot inches wide from the edge of the box.

With a couple of early scares avoided, the game became very scrappy with nerves evident from both sides. In the 38th minute, however, the Moatmen would have a fantastic chance to open the scoring.

After Michael Nelson had won the ball back, Joe Haines broke from midfield before being halted unfairly by Adam Meacham in the area leading to the referee pointing to the spot. Lucas Harrison stepped up for the away side, but his fierce effort from the spot crashed against the crossbar and bounced away to safety.

In the second half the Flyers were the first to give their opponents a scare with Reiss Taylor Randle sending a half-volley over the bar after being set through behind the Gresley backline.

The away side, however, would take the lead just three minutes later. Despite being on the pitch for a total of just five minutes, Kyle Parchment showed composure and quality with a fearsome strike into the bottom left corner. The substitute gathered Joe Haines’ knock-down from a Nelson free kick to fire past a sprawling Joe Fryatt.

With a 1-0 lead, the Moatmen were determined to hold what they had and see out what would be a crucial three points. Their slender advantage threatened to dissipate when Lewis Probert struck inches wide following a short corner routine.

Yet, the visitors still posed a threat on the counter-attack, and they really should’ve put the game to bed when Louis Briscoe broke from midfield and fed Joe Haines down the left. However, the midfielder couldn’t quite get the ball under his control and scuffed an attempted cross wide.

With the win in sight, Lye nearly pulled level when everyone held their breath to watch Jake Heath’s shot trickle just wide of the post with Hammerton rooted.

Gresley could’ve made it even more comfortable late on when Parchment cut out a kick from Joe Fryatt and tried to catch the ‘keeper off his line. However, Fryatt managed to recover and push the shot away.

In truth, however, Hammerton had very little to be worried about in the second half and the Moatmen held on for a fantastic 1-0 away victory over fellow strugglers Lye Town.