Pre-Season Friendly
The Moat Ground
Saturday, 23rd July 2022, 3.00pm
All Square At The Moat
Honours were even between Gresley Rovers and Hanley Town as two sides who both earned promotion to step four last season played out an entertaining 1-1 draw.
Rovers looked on course for their second victory of their pre-season schedule when James Harrison struck from close-range.
Early in the second half, however, Jake Twigg converted from the penalty spot to ensure his side avoided defeat.
The first half was punctuated with errors in possession, both sides handing the other opportunities to open the scoring.
Lewis Fenney was the first to breathe a sigh of relief when his wayward pass handed Hanley an initiative. With a seemingly open goal to aim at Michael Williams somehow managed to get his body in the way on the goal-line.
Ryan Shotton of Hanley however, would not be so fortunate. In the 25th minute, after ballooning a pass into touch, the former Derby County defender under-hit a back-pass which Kieran Wells pounced on.
Wells, bullish throughout the ninety minutes in pressurising Hanley’s centre-backs, had his initial shot saved but managed to poke the ball onto Harrison who thumped the ball past Kieran Harrison.
With half-time approaching Hanley pushed for an equaliser and came very close on two occasions.
Twigg was unfortunate to see his free-kick smack the face of the crossbar before, on the verge of the break George Clark made a vital intervention at the far post to head away a inswinging free-kick, with the resultant shot from Hanley once again hitting the woodwork.
Within three minutes of the second half though, Hanley would have their leveller. It came from a cross into the box from the left which was adjudged to have been handled by Clark.
The referee pointed to the spot and after a discussion with his linesman the call stood, and Twigg stepped up to coolly slot past a rooted Fenney.
Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing stages, with Hanley coming closest when Rovers were once again forced to clear off the line, Mason Frizelle this time the saviour.
At the other end, Rovers had a superb chance to snatch victory as well. Ellis Evans exchanged passes with Kieran Wells, with the striker showing excellent vision to pick out Joe Stacey inside the box.
The new signing struck the volley sweetly, but his strike agonisingly flew over by mere inches.
