Northern Premier League Midlands
The Moat Ground
Saturday, 11th February 2023, 3.00pm
Rovers Win
by Luke Nurden
The Moatmen held off relegation rivals Dereham Town after a second minute wonder-goal by James Spruce gave Gresley the win.
Lewis Fenney frustrated the visitors throughout the game, after several brilliant saves kept Gresley a clean-sheet.
A timid second half from both side’s attacking play and a strong defensive effort from Gresley left the home-side gleaming with three points.
This victory for Gresley swaps themselves and Dereham in the league table, giving The Moatmen even more hope for survival from relegation.
Spruce gave Gresley an emphatic start, after a confident 35-yard-volley found the back of the net within two minutes of kick-off.
Louis Henman-Mason found himself in a dangerous position to equalise, however, his first-time effort flew over Gresley’s crossbar.
The visitors continued their pressure to equalise, this time a long-range effort by Dereham talisman, Charlie Clarke, which had the better of Fenney, skimmed the crossbar and went out of play.
Fenney pulled off an incredible sequence of saves to keep Gresley in the lead, after a low strike from Dereham was matched with a strong hand of the keeper, followed up by a punch to send the ball out of danger.
After having a clear view on goal, Lewis Belgrave, took his chance from long range which ended to be a simple save by visiting keeper Ross Bilham.
Carl Abbot’s side dominated the start of the second half, but nothing could find a way past Bilham.
A strong defensive display from the home side gave Dereham little hope in an equaliser, with every attack quickly dismantled by George Clarke and Dominic Perkins.
Fenney completed another stellar save to keep the Moatmen in the lead, with a deflected shot met with a quick reaction stop from Gresley’s number one.
Kane Lee used his blistering pace down the right wing a number of times in the second half, however, despite Lee’s efforts, Gresley could not find a way to double their lead.
In the final stages of the game, debutant Jonathon Letford saw his powerful first-time strike fly just wide from a Spruce corner.
