Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Derbyshire Amateurs
Gresley Rovers Reserves played their first home game under new management in the Derbyshire Divisional Cup against Derbyshire Amateurs.
After finally establishing a squad over the past couple of weeks and I'm sure encountering a phone bill that 02 will be pleased to receive we then had a couple of other problems to solve.
Joe Miller was able to return and play despite a broken toe still being somewhat sore. However, the loss of Chris Mawbey (coaching course) and Andy Harrison (work) from a back four was a blow we could have done without. Matt Brown and Joe filled in and to be honest did an outstanding job. One new signing was able to play, Phil Merry, as he had signed the previous week. Two others, weren't although one Sukhy Heer, signed and warmed up with the rest of the team.
In the two weeks we've had, David Clay and myself have managed to claw one or two players back who had decided their future didn't lie with Gresley, and the support from up and coming Youth Team players has been excellent. Credit must also go to the captain Danny Cox and the few other hard core reserve players, who have been right behind us with superb attitude from day one.
The game started very much as expected with our opponents taking the game to us. I felt we just lost the midfield battle slightly but played the better football from midfield once we had gained possession. The half changed when Gresley forward Alex Bolt latched on to a poor pass and before Derby Ams could react, he had fired home. From this moment the team settled down and to be fair Bolt and Chris Blackshields ran riot. A great pass from Merry saw Bolt's pace leave the Ams defence standing and he showed us a fine finish.
Blackshields too showed pace and skill to have a shot saved that he maybe should have done more with. Jak Ward then got round the back and set up Jamie Brown who with an open net fired over. Bolt soon got Gresley's and his third after more good work from Blackshields. Bolt then returned the favour for Blackshields to score the fourth. Blackshields went on to get another but had it disallowed when the Ams keeper arrived two minutes too late and fell over but got the sympathy vote.
At this point things looked very good for us and we couldn't have asked for more. Our makeshift back four was looking fairly solid although a little out of shape on occasions. We played it about nicely, got wide well, and created some good chances even if not all ended with a goal. It was very disappointing then to concede a goal just before half time. Matt Brown who had been doing very well got caught wrong side of his opponent and bought him down in the box.
Half time 4 - 1
Though disappointed with the end to the first half we were still up beat about the positives. Our main instruction was to get the ball down to feet and play. We felt each time we did this we looked dangerous. Other than that we thought we would add to our first half tally without too much trouble. Therefore the second half felt somewhat flat and disappointing. Derbyshire Ams came at us and to be honest caused us a few problems. They had a good twenty minute spell. Thankfully some fine goal keeping from Pembo and some fine defending from Cox, Brown, Miller, and Gadsby kept a second half clean sheet.
The later part of the second half saw Gresley take more control and again create more chances. Richard Draycott became more influential towards the end and another fine cross from Ward saw a Blackshields header denied again by the referee, no one seems to know quite why. Then substitute Dean Waite found himself too far under a cross and headed over when he should really have joined the score sheet.
No one, most of all me will get carried away by the result. You would expect a Gresley Reserve side to comfortably win this fixture. However, what we can enjoy is the performance, positive attitude and the real enjoyment and passion the players showed. I want players who can not only play football, but feel as passionate about the club as I do and wear the badge with pride. I think we have made a dent in this achievement.
On a final note, I would like to thank everyone for the support they have shown and welcomed return I have received. I know David Clay feels the same.
Thank you.
Dave Acton. Reserve Team Manager
1) James Pemberton
2) Matt Brown
3) Dan Cox (C)
4) Phil Merry
5) Lewis Gadesby
6) Joe Miller
7) Jamie Brown
8) Richard Draycott
9) Alex Bolt
10) Chris Blackshields
11) Jak Ward
12) Dean Waite
14) Johnnie Guthrie
Unavilable:
Andy Harrison
Chris Mawbey
Sukhy Heer
