Free kick sinks the Moatmen in game of few chances
A SUPERB free kick by Sutton Coldfield Town’s Ryan Edmunds settled Gresley Rovers’ game at the Moat Ground and kept them in deep trouble at the bottom of the Pitching In NPL Midland Division.
There was little to choose between the sides in a tetchy battle in which a stiff breeze did neither side any faovurs.
It was Rovers who had the best chances in the first half, with both Richard Hanslow and Kieran O’connell going close, but it has been a feature of this difficult season that the luck is not with them.
A good move in the area saw O’connell force himself into a good position before sliding the ball through to Hanslow, who managed to poke the ball goalwards, bringing out a fine diving save low to his right from visiting keeper Lewis Landers.
Minutes later, another halfchance saw O’connell head a good cross from the right over the bar.
The rest of the first half involved the two sides cancelling each other out with no further chances of note.
The Royals made a change for the start of the second half, with Kyle Burn replacing Charlie Dowd but it was still Gresley shading possession.
After 53 minutes, they were awarded a free kick 22 yards out.
Burton Albion academy loanee Connor Pace took it and sent it inches over the bar with Landers beaten.
With an hour gone, yellow cards were dished out to both sides as frustrations grew.
Sutton made two more changes after 65 minutes and it was one of them, Edmunds, who made an instant telling contribution.
The visitors were awarded a free kick 25 yards out and Edmunds, who had replaced former Moatman James Tague, found the inside of both posts with his shot before it hit the back of the net.
It was Sutton’s first shot on target and remained their only one.
Rovers’ almost hit back immediately, with Hanslow firing a low shot just wide.
The Moatmen continued to press for a share of the points that their overall play arguably deserved but the final ball eluded them.
They had one last chance to rescue a point in the 83rd minute but a corner from the left was headed straight into the arms of Landers.
The only consolation was that the teams Gresley are battling at the bottom of the table were also beaten, bottom club AFC Rushden & Diamonds being hammered 7-1 away to Quorn and Rugby Town being beaten 3-1 away to Hinckley LR.
There are seven games left and the next chance for the Moatmen to try to put more pressure on the others comes tomorrow night when they are at home to Sporting Khalsa (7.45pm).
It represents Gresley’s game in hand on Rugby, who are two points ahead of them and not in action, while Rushden are away to Cambridge City.