Hart doubles up as Rovers gain control
GRESLEY Rovers overcame a strong start from Leicester Nirvana to secure back to back United Counties League Premier Division North wins.
Rovers won 3-0 against the winless bottom side with a double from Steve Hart and a late goal from Danny Munday, his seventh of the season.
Gresley did not have everything their own way in the first half-hour, Nirvana playing with a confidence that belied their league position.
Alex Morris did well to slide in and deny Eddie Lee a shot early on but a big scare came after 25 minutes.
Finding space at the back post, Deen Master powered the ball across goal on the volley, to the feet of Lee, who was brilliantly denied by keeper Lewis Fenney, who pushed his shot away.
Six minutes later, Gresley took the lead. Nirvana were punished by a mistake as they played out from the back, Ryan Seal pouncing and finding Hart with a chipped pass into the box which the striker chested down before volleying past keeper Jacob Wood.
With the deadlock broken, Gresley seemed to shake off their earlier struggles and could have doubled their lead minutes later when Kane Lee’s cross was spilled by Wood but Munday could only hit the post as he got to the rebound.
Seal, played through by Hart, had a shot saved by the outstretched leg of Wood.
Nirvana nearly found an equaliser when Suhaib Gannan burst through down the left of the box but again Fenney parried the ball to safety.
Neither side found much rhythm early in the second half but it was now Gresley who looked in control and, soon, Munday had another effort which brought a good save from Wood.
Hart’s first-time volley flew wide after Munday’s flick-on found him inside the box as Gresley chased a second but, before they could find one, Fenney had to push away a free kick from Master.
Finally the Moatmen doubled their lead, with Seal again the architect, rolling a free kick low to Hart, who held off his marker in the box before turning to shoot into the bottom corner.
Munday nearly made it three in stoppage time when Louis Briscoe sent him through but Wood did well to tip his effort over the bar.
The Gresley forward only had to wait another minute for his goal. Brilliant work from Seal in the corner to try and kill the game off earned Rovers one last corner.
A quick delivery into the box was perfect for Munday, who guided a header past Wood to seal a solid performance from the Moatmen.
New signing Michael Williams was named man of the match.