Northern Premier League Midlands
The Moat Ground
Saturday, 13th August 2022, 3.00pm
All Square at the Moat
Alfie Burley
Gresley Rovers’ first league match back at step four resulted in a goalless draw with Cambridge City.
In a game of low quality, and gruelling conditions, chances were few and far between for both sides, with a draw ultimately fair on the balance of play.
The first half was a low-key affair with both sides looking cagey in their first match of the new campaign.
In fact, it took 23 minutes for either goalkeeper to be tested, but it proved comfortable work for Lewis Fenney as he blocked a Ben Nolan shot at the near post.
Defences were very much on top, and Jordi Gough was a stand-out in the Rovers ranks, with the central defender pinching the ball off the toes of Ed Rolph at the vital moment to deny Cambridge a clear goal-scoring opportunity.
Gresley grew into the half as it progressed, however, and did test Louis Chadwick when George Atwal’s free kick was curled towards the top corner.
The best chance of the half came at its death as Bekir Halil blazed over the crossbar after the ball had fell at his feet following a long throw.
After the break, Cambridge came very close to opening the scoring in the 55th minute. Scott Bridges unleashed a thunderbolt from 25 yards which was brilliantly tipped over by Fenney.
City weren’t done in their bid to break the deadlock however, as a corner to the back post found an unmarked Taylor Parr who could only head the ball over.
That was as close as Cambridge came in the second half as Rovers slowly started to dominate. Michael Williams showed his ability to hold onto possession as he burst past two challenges before feeding Kieran Wells, who shot over whilst off-balance.
Long throws seemed to be Gresley’s most fruitful route to goal, and after Alex Morris yet again won the first contact at the near post, the ball fell to Kane Lee who struck the ball straight into the arms of Chadwick.
With nine minutes to go, Morris once again won the ball at the front post, but instead of nodding it into the path of a team-mate he instead looped his header over a stranded Chadwick, only for Bridges to rescue Cambridge with a timely clearance off the line.
Rovers pushed late on through a flurry of set pieces, but Chadwick stood strong in the away side’s net to repel the danger and secure his side a valuable point.
