First win in nine to lift hopes for Moatmen
GRESLEY Rovers are out of the NPL Midland Division relegation places after a heartening 3-0 win at home to Sporting Khalsa on Tuesday night.
A monumental effort by the ground staff got the game on and they were rewarded with one of Rovers’ best performances of the season.
First-half goals from Dylan Hunniford and Charlie Knowles gave the Moat faithful something to cheer at last before Kieran O’connell added a stoppage-time third.
Things are never entirely straightforward, though, and John Guy was held up on his way to the game in traffic following an accident, so Martin Smyth stepped up from the bench to start the game.
Rovers started well, pushing their mid-table opponents back, and took a seventh-minute lead in spectacular fashion.
Hunniford collected the ball some way out but raced forward before smashing a thunderbolt of a shot from 25 yards which flew past keeper Sam Arnold.
Hunniford was causing all sorts of problems for the visitors with his work-rate and tenacious tackling.
He was involved with the second goal, as his persistence led to Richard Hanslow chipping the ball over the advancing Arnold.
His goal-bound effort was blocked by a defender but Burton Albion loanee Knowles was lurking and he smashed the ball into the net.
A first win in eight games, dating back to January, began to look possible, as long as Rovers could hold their nerve.
They continued to snuff out any danger from the visitors and create chances, with a header from a corner going close and Connor Pace’s stinging shot from the left flying inches wide.
Nor did the pattern change after the break, with Gresley on top and more determined work from Hunniford in midfield led to him firing a shot wide.
Rovers made their first change with John King replacing the hardworking Hanslow and, within a couple of minutes the substitute was involved with the next chance.
The worsening conditions didn’t stop O’connell from charging down the left before cutting into the area.
He then picked out King racing forward but he also shot wide.
On the hour, Khalsa had one of their best chances with a shot from distance which Rovers keeper Louie Turner had to save.
More changes for the visitors followed with Dilano Reid, Liam Armstrong and Jordan Clarke replacing Vidal Hendrickson, Max Martin and former Moatman Curvin Sanderson-ellis.
Rovers went close again after another good move but once again the effort went wide.
However, they didn’t miss their final effort.
Knowles’ run down the left ended with him beating a defender before picking out O’connell, who rounded the onrushing Arnold and then slotted the ball into the empty net.
Bottom side AFC Rushden & Diamonds also won on Tuesday night, 4-1 against Cambridge City, to put Rugby Town on the bottom on goal difference.
Gresley are a point ahead of both of them and visit Boldmere St Michaels on Saturday.
Dylan Hunniford opened the scoring with a long-range shot.
■ Gresley will be holding their next Supporters Forum on Friday, April 5 (7.30pm) at the ground.
Chairman Gary Norton and manager Marc Strzyzewski will be on hand to answer questions.