The Greens were again impressive when on the defensive in Derbyshire, but were also able to marry that, particularly in the first half, to a threat on the counter attack – one capitalised upon by Harry Gibbons midway through the first period to put the Greens ahead at the break. The Greens were placed under significant pressure throughout the second half and even Jack Andrews red card with a quarter of an hour to go could not prevent Oscar McClure stabbing the hosts level with only six minutes left as both sides took a valuable point.

Manager Matt Evans went unchanged from the side that took Eastwood Community all the way last weekend, resisting the temptation to bring Ollie Fields straight back into the side after he was absent last weekend through suspension. The only other alteration saw Jake Thompson take a place on the bench after he joined the Greens on loan from Boston United in the week. Hosts Gresley Rovers meanwhile were in action for the first time in a fortnight after postponements saw them inactive since a 3-2 victory over Heanor Town. They made three changes from that side, including welcoming new signing Massiah McDonald straight into the starting eleven alongside Jack Andrews and Oscar McClure. Those changes saw Liam Kavanagh, Jack Andrews and Alex Britton drop out of the side.

Both sides began slowly in fading light in Derbyshire, Harry Gibbons seeing his shot blocked and Massiah McDonald sweeping wide of Harrison Leech’s upright the closest either side came to creating anything of note. That was until the Greens found an opener and it was created by a wonderful ball over the top from Ben Robson who released Harry Gibbons to slot coolly beyond the onrushing Louie Turner midway through the half.

The Greens did well to nullify any significant response from the hosts too, keeping them at arm’s length for much of the half, that was until Jenson Cooper was slotted through on goal by the impressive Massiah McDonald, but Cooper, when one-on-one with Harrison Leech, somehow stabbed wide of the post in the final act of the half.

The hosts noticeably turned the pressure up a notch in the second half, led by captain Jamie Sleigh who enjoyed a string of standout chances throughout the half. That started when he turned Lewis Smalley inside out before blazing over the crossbar – then, just three minutes later – he forced Harrison Leech into effective action to divert his effort away from goal before Leech reacted quickly to beat away from Massiah McDonald’s follow up a few seconds later.

Sleigh was again the man to force another excellent block from Leech with 15 minutes remaining, that just after Jack Bostock had broken free at the back post to lash an effort into the side netting. But, just when a hosts equaliser looked inevitable, their task became just that bit harder when Jack Andrews was given his marching orders after tangling with Andy Whalen who himself received a booking in the wake of the incident.

Any thoughts that the Greens could hold out for victory though were dashed with six minutes remaining when Alby Lansdowne’s long throw was poked home at the edge of the six yard box by Oscar McClure – a goal certainly deserved on the balance of second half play, but one nonetheless frustrating for the Greens with their opposition down to 10-men. Despite eight minutes of stoppage time though, neither side could manufacture a winner as both were forced to settle for a point.

Words: Oliver Atkin