Match Report  |  Anstey Nomads vs Gresley Rovers

Harry Tizard

Gresley Rovers came from behind to beat 10-man Anstey Nomads 3-1 at the Callingtons Community Complex in what was a hard-fought battle between second and third place in the United Counties League Premier Division North.

Getting a red card early on, with Leon Fray given his marching orders for a last-ditch challenge on Shay Brennan, Anstey’s man disadvantage seemed to have little impact on their performance.

The better team for most of the match, the hosts were rewarded for their efforts in the 70th minute when Corey Armeni found the bottom corner from a free-kick.

However, on the brink of losing in the league for the first time since the opening day of the season, with a goal from Jordi Gough as well as a brace from Shay Brennan gave the visitors victory.

The late comeback now means that Gresley are just one point behind leaders Long Eaton United having played one less, as well as nine clear of their most recent opponents.

It was the league’s third-placed team who were on top in the opening exchanges, but failed to test Lewis Fenney in the Gresley net, with early set-pieces around the box cleared with ease.

Struggling to get out their half, the Moatmen were the beneficiaries of a dubious red card in the 10th minute, helping them get a foothold in the game. Latching onto an arrowed through ball from the defence, Shay Brennan wrestled off his marker, bearing down one-on-one with Conrad Logan.

Seemingly running free, a covering challenge from Fray on the edge of the box took out the forward, with a portion of the stadium certain the defender got a touch on the ball.

After deliberation with the linesman, the referee decided to send the full-back off, with him being the last man.

The free-kick that followed resulted in the first shot on target of the game, but Niall Towle’s effort was drilled straight into the palms of the ‘keeper, who collected the ball on the second attempt.

Despite having a man less, Anstey continued to push for the opener, with a header from Armeni caught well by Fenney.

As the game was heading for half-time, the Moatmen had a chance to break the deadlock. Finding space behind the defence in a similar way to which he won a free-kick earlier in the half, Brennan made the most of Jordan Annable failing to clear the long ball, but his strike was rushed, pulling the shot wide.

After the restart, it was Anstey who had the first opportunity to score. Whipped onto the head of Kieran Wells from the right, his looping header beat Fenney but struck the top of the bar, with the seconds it hung in the sky causing slight concern for the Rovers.

Both sides were having their best chances in the air, with Gresley quickly following Anstey’s missed effort with a header of their own. Crossed into the box by James Harrison, the forward's ball was met by Mason Frizelle who headed wide.

Frizelle then met Alby Lansdowne's throw-in, but the centre-back could only find the side netting.

The missed opportunity cost the Moatmen, with the hosts scoring soon after. Giving away a free-kick on the edge, with Jordi Gough failing to get the ball when sliding in, it was Armeni who stepped up.

Striking the ball from the right of the goal, his low curling effort found the bottom corner on the opposite side, sending the home fans behind the goal into raptures.

Relativity unchallenged for most of the game, with Towle's shot earlier in the game the only time the Anstey goal was troubled, Gresley then peppered the home side with great effect.

Logan did well to first tip over a Frizelle header from close range, but the American could do nothing to prevent the equalising goal from the resulting corner.

Clipped into the box, a shot towards goal was cleared off the line, but could only be directed into the path of Gough and the versatile defender lashed the ball in off the post, with the numerous bodies on the line unable to stop his precise strike.

Just four minutes later, Gresley turned the score in their favour. Substitute Kane Lee, squared the ball into the path of Brennan, whose smart positioning inside the box allowed for a simple finish.

With Anstey the better side for most of the match, the game was anything but over until Brennan sealed the win in stoppage time. A long throw-in found the striker at the back-post, with Brenann getting to the ball before Logan, sliding the ball underneath the onrushing ‘keeper.

Moments before the final whistle, Gough saw red for kicking out after an altercation in the box, but the left-backs dismissal had no impact on the result of the game.