Gresley Rovers vs Holbrook Miners Welfare Reserves
Wednesday night's Derbyshire Divisional cup game saw Gresley Reserves having to do a bit of changing round. Some players were unavailable because of work obligations and others were unavailable because of cup rules over signing on in time.
Our main objective was just to progress to the next round and take things from there. I think the lads would be the first to admit it was not our best performance, but we did a job and got the result. So our objective was achieved.
Early on Gresley really controlled the game, however, it soon became apparent this was
going to be a different type of game to what we were used too. Holbrook played similar to how we have been doing, sitting back, staying solid, and creating once in possession.
The Reserves have been used to teams coming at them. So although we passed it around well, our final pass always broke down and eventually we seemed to be short of ideas. A
problem we haven't come across before, but something that now spotted, can be addressed.
Still early in the game our forwards showed they were always going to be a handful for the Holbrook defence, and it was no surprise when Gresley took the lead with about fifteen minutes gone. Chris Blackshields met Jak Wards corner well, and his goal bound shot could only be deflected into the net.
As I said a lot of this half Gresley seemed in control of and you would think it was a matter of time. However, Holbrook defended well and we did run out of ideas. Half time was soon upon us and time for a few ideas to be discussed. The biggest thing for me was that we weren't playing at 110% of our ability, more like 60%.
Second half began and Holbrook really took the game to us and we still looked like we hadn't really started. Even so we did create some chances but with no results. It was inevitable then that Holbrook would equalise and they did. Little bit harsh on Chris Mawbey when he was judged to have tripped Holbrook's forward in the box.
So how would we respond? Well two terrific saves from Youth team keeper Gaz Wilson
kept our hopes alive. Then eventually Blackshields scored a second to give us the lead.
Lee Mitchell came on for his second reserve team game to help out in midfield.
Blackshields then completed his hat trick to seal things for the reserves. With just a couple of minutes left U16's player James Rowland made his debut.
So, it wasn't our best, but we showed good spirit to recover from the equaliser and go on to get the result.
I think it's always difficult mid-week. Lads have just finished a day's work and sometimes the last thing you feel like doing is run around on a football pitch. End result, you have to be pleased.
With so many lads to return, things are starting to look much better for the Reserves, but still loads to do.
On a final note, thanks for all the support from everyone who braved the
cold to shout us on.
Gresley Rovers 3 - 1 Holbrook Miners Welfare Reserves
Team: G Wilson, D Cox(c), A Harrison, L Gadsby,
C Mawbey, J Guthrie, J Ward, P Merry, J Miller,
C Blackshields, A Bolt, L Mitchell, and J Rowland.
