Gressenhall firsts travelled to Stoke Ferry in the Crown Fire Invitation cup knowing that they needed to avoid losing to keep their hopes alive of qualifying from the group stages. Manager Wales had selection problems all week with players calling off due to injuries, work commitments, illness and unavailable call ups. Assistant manager Chris Shaw was in charge and with Reynolds missing opted Gould to be captain. Gould won the toss and changed ends with the wind, sun and the slope of the pitch playing a major factor. Stoke Ferry kicked off the first half and were shooting downhill which helped them to create a number of chances but Shaw, Dewing and Brunton dealt with everything that was thrown at them, including the kitchen sink. Unfortunately however, Bruntons passing was like watching Stevie Wonder at a firing range. The Gressenhall faithful were chanting its just like watching Stoke after long ball after long ball was being played, which in the end turned out to be all Stoke Ferry really had to offer. Parkin had another solid game between the sticks and pulled off a good save after the Stoke Ferry striker made it through 1v1. Gressenhall created numerous chances themselves with Mortlock and McDonnell both causing problems for the Stoke Ferry defence. Dan Edwards went through on goal towards the end of the half but was taken out by their last man. Despite trying to stay on his feet he should have taken a leaf out of Dewings book and went down like being shot by a sniper because unfortunately he ran the ball out of play. Half time: 0-0. The second half saw Gressenhall have the slope advantage which helped to create more chances but the woodwork and decent saves from the Stoke Ferry goalkeeper kept the hall at bay. The midfield worked tirelessly during the 90 minutes with non-stop running from Gould, end to end running from Dan Edwards and Dennis on the flanks and another top performance from Alex The Machine Brown. Kenny Edwards had a much better game this week after he used last weeks game against Narborough to wear in those football boots that Barney the dinoursaur had taken a s*** on. With 10 minutes to go, Brunton went down, the cramping legs giving way to injury resulting in being subbed off for Sam Kung fu Cryan. Less minutes on the pitch and he does it again, hitting tackles taking out the biggest bloke on the pitch. Handbags came out and with a knee to Cryans face saw the Stoke Ferry player receive a yellow card. Full time: 0-0. A decent away point for Gressenhall in the group stages of the Crown Fire invitation cup. Manger Wales will have selection problems next week as Beales, Reynolds, Wales, Parke, Wagg, Deere and Cavaco are all set to return. MOM: Daniel Gould, worked tirelessly and led by example. Gressenhall reserves travelled to a struggling Narborough reserves. In windy conditions combined with a bumpy pitch the game was hard and from the off it was indeed scrappy, suiting the opposition. Gressenhall found it hard to get a foothold with only creating a few tame efforts at goal, however with the wind in their faces remained solid and matched Narborough. HT 0-0. Second half with the wind in their sails, good play allowed Gressenhall to get beyond the defence, a good chance carved out by Buck, who was unfortunate to not convert. A corner for the Hall was swung in and neatly dispatched by inform S.Luck, his header creeping in by the post. This was a little relief for gressenhall with what seemed to be the game ebbing away. The scrappy game continued, Pryor forcing his way through and unlucky to get on the score sheet. Gressenhall second goal was scored by ressie regular Buck with a sweet strike curling past the outstretched keeper. Late call up Binder came on as a sub and proved his love for the club with his passion and determination, running until the last minutes of the game and was unlucky not to score a third. Gressenhall reserves may not have been at their best but the conditions made it a hard game, the three points were still well deserved. Special mention for Murphy, Long and Buck who always always looked in control . Mom : Ben Murphy Next weeks fixtures see both teams in the 4th round of the be. smith memorial cup 1.45pm kick off. Castle Acre v Gressenhall Attleborough A v Gressenhall Reserves
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 07:34:05 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015