Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Barwell
I can only apologise for the lack of match reports etc. I realise fully it is part of my duties, however, I am sure that it is reasonable for people to realise that personal life also has to take some of my time up and the first priority is to manage the team.
I do and will always go out of my way to discuss the games and the team with anyone who is interested and will try to put as much information on the websites as I possibly can. Of course if you're really interested in how the reserves are doing the best way to find out is to come and watch them and give your support. So I will try to summarise the last few weeks and fixtures over what has really been a difficult time.
When we took over we quickly had to do a lot of work to turn things around, and we were pleased with the results. However, things took a turn for the worse and there is no doubt it as had an effect on the team and the results.
At home to Quorn we put out a good performance and trialist Paul Edwards scored a fine goal to secure the win. Paul is now with the first team and still scoring.
We then went away to Rugby in a game that you just have to right off as one of those games. We played really well; they had about six attacks and scored four goals. Even in the last fifteen minutes with ten men we still were on top but couldn't score. Even their chairman said after the game I can't believe we won let alone by that many. Still we played well and you just except that these things happen.
So it was on to our semi final. Problems began well before the match. Chris Mawbey has had continuous problems with his knee and will now not play again till next season and Paul Grosse had to have a major operation on the day of the semi and too will be out now until next season.
Rich Draycott decided his future lay back at Newhall United F.C. and so was no longer available to us. Adrian Colley decided the travelling was too much and wanted to return to his local side. Playing for a club like Gresley Rovers takes an awful lot of commitment, so we fully understand these players' wishes. I did however feel very disappointed that they decided to leave a week before the semi final we had worked so hard to get too. Because of the cup rules our options were limited and it is typical of Boldmere that they were able to field numerous first team players.
The game itself saw Boldmere doing very well but as the end of the first half drew to a close Gresley finished really well and with the score at 0 - 0, I felt we had a very good chance. We came out in the second half with confidence and started well. With about sixty minutes gone we conceded a needless free kick, which was whipped in and put home after poor marking.
Boldmere very quickly added a second and a third from another free kick to put the game out of reach. Gresley showed good character and pulled one back. As they pushed for another they were caught on the break and the tie was well and truly over four one. Ryan Yearsley getting the goal.
Saturday we went away to Worcester and to be honest we were awful. We still managed to take the lead and should have taken all three points but for a penalty decision that never was. There was no foul and it was outside the box anyway. Still we were very poor and that started a trend.
In the week we went down to Loughborough 3-1. Mid week fixtures have not helped our cause because of our problems with personnel and also the availability of first team players for our opponents. We too have had some first team players available, but maybe it has not been the help it should have been except in a couple of instances. In this particular game we had no Harrison, Cox, Mawbey, Grosse, or Heer available.
The final straw came last Wednesday against a much changed and in form Shepshed team. Our problem has been the lack of goals and the fact that we are not playing good entertaining football. The later I cannot accept whatever the result. If you're not scoring and holding out at the back eventually you will concede and then you feel there is no way back and that is exactly what has been happening. Most disappointing of all was our lack of ability to play football, it is something both David and I pride ourselves in, whatever the score line. On the plus side there have been some good young prospects such as Jack Coulson, and Tom Williams.
So that brings us up to date and this weekend. At home to Barwell, currently seventh in the league. It is amazing how we have done so well against the top teams and yet dropped vital points against the lower sides who we should have beat. We should be in the top five by now and yet we are still bottom of the league. Circumstances have not helped but this still has to be unacceptable. Today though there was a notable change. The atmosphere was good and we played some good football which is all we asked for today. I wasn't bothered about the result, I just wanted us to play football that people would be happy to watch, and we did. We also got the result, a bonus.
To be honest I think we ran the game from start to end and never looked in much trouble. Played good passing football. Combined the long and short game well. Created good chances and possibly should have scored more. Generally it was very pleasing.
Alex bolt opened the scoring, showing strength, pace, and a fine finish as he lobbed the keeper. Jordan Blair on trial had a great debut and scored a good header from a delightful Dave Williams chip.
I thought Joe Miller had one of his best games for us today, standing in at centre half he was still able to play some great passes and do a good marking job. Johnnie Guthrie also added spark to the side down the wing and so we had good attacking width. Tom Williams worked very hard and I'm sure has a good future as he regains his fitness and sharpness. Dave Williams stayed involved for most of the game, which allowed his ability to have an influence, so all-round very happy today. It was much needed.
So to bring you up to date with players, Joe Miller has returned from Borrowash, Jordan Blair has signed after his release from Kidderminster Harriers, Tom Williams who is a friend of Nathan Tate, has signed and had spells with Sheffield and Shepshed. Dave Williams is another new signing who I believe has been at Leicester. Jack Coulson has made a good step up from the youth team, and we have signed a lad Mick Gray. So with players still to return we are looking better than we have over the last few weeks and hopefully we can get our targets back on course.
Gresley Reserves 2 - 0 Barwell Reserves
Scorers: Alex Bolt and Jordan Blair
Team: J. Pemberton, A. Harrison, D.Cox, L. Gadsby, J. Miller, J. Guthrie, J. Blair, D. Williams, S. Heer, T. Williams, A. Bolt, J. Ward, P. Rowell, M. Gray.
