United Counties Premier Division North
The Moat Ground
Tuesday, 12th April 2022, 7.45pm
It's Joy For Rovers
By ALFIE BURLEY
Gresley Rovers secured promotion to step four after a crucial 2-1 victory over Loughborough Students on Tuesday night.
First half goals from Kane Lee and Ryan Seal created a cushion for Rovers at half-time, but after Cameron Moore’s early second half goal for the visitors, anxiety rose about there being a repeat of last Saturday when Gresley surrended a two goal lead to Heanor Town.
Yet, a stoic second-half display full of heart and determination saw Rovers see out the win that seals second place and promotion from step five.
A packed fixture list towards the end of the season had an evident toll on the players as they laboured to victory.
However, the character that has provided the platform for a 31-game unbeaten streak shone through again with Gresley holding off a visiting side who boast the largest and fittest squad in the division.
Similarly to Saturday, the Moatmen started extremely quickly, pressing the visitors into mistakes in the opening minutes.
The strategy would pay off as Gresley secured a vital early goal. Ryan Seal chipped a perfectly weighted ball over Loughborough’s defence, allowing Lee to thump a half-volley past Ben Whiting.
The Students didn’t drop their heads though and slowly worked their way into the game. In the 27th minute they created their best opening to equalise as Moore forced Fenney into pushing a shot away.
Olusanya Fadahunsi lurked to pounce on the follow-up but could only direct an effort over with the goal at his mercy.
Despite Loughborough enjoying the majority of the ball, Rovers sprung to life in the 34th minute and had the perfect opportunity to stretch their lead when Lee was felled just inside the area.
Ryan Seal stepped up and, reliable as ever from the spot, sent the ball into the corner past the outstretched arm of the goalkeeper.
Suddenly Rovers had a two-goal lead, but unlike the Heanor game, they managed to see it out until half-time.
At the start of the second half, Gresley came out brightly, Lee had an effort fly inches wide within a minute of the restart before Steve Hart shot over after a terrible mistake in the Loughborough defence which the striker should have punished.
Yet, in the 51st minute, Ethan O’Toole found space on the edge of the box and worked the ball wide to Moore who fired through the legs of Fenney to give the away side a lifeline.
Faced with the prospect of surrendering another two-goal advantage, nerves jangled as Rovers dropped deeper to hold onto what they had.
Inspired defending from the Rovers backline kept the Students at bay, with chances at a premium.
Finn Brennan did his best to break through for his side, curling a free-kick just past the post before forcing Fenney to tip a shot away for a corner but in truth Gresley handled the visitors' pressure admirably.
After seeing out a couple of late set pieces, the referee finally drew the contest to a close with the Rovers bench jubilant that they had sealed a deserved promotion following a remarkable season.
