With Max Peate and Darren Jones ruled out through injury and Dave Lloyd and Rich Carr unavailable through work commitments, Josh Page joined the starting line up for the trip to Cae Baker home of CPD Penrhyncoch with Stef Edwards and Nathan Pugh back in the squad. Gresford started the brighter with Simon Smith's effort running wide in the 4th minute following a through ball from Rob Rondel who saw his own effort in the 8th minute being saved low by on loan keeper Morgan after Ian Matthias had battled to win a corner for the visitors. Despite continued pressure from Gresford they looked to be offering the home side the opportunity to take control of the game when they conceded a series of free kicks in goal scoring opportunities however Penrhyncoch failed to capitalise on this and Alan Williams came close to putting the visitors ahead in the 35th minute when he met a well delivered ball from Simon Smith with his head which brought Morgan into action again and showed why the home side had strived to secure his services when he pushed a goal bound ball out for a corner. Free kicks continued to be gifted by Gresford and in the 42nd minute the home side finally capitalised on these with a well delivered ball from the right catching the Gresford defence off their guard when it was met by the head of Jamie Shield who placed the ball neatly into the top right of the visitors goal, Simon Smith and Ian Matthias created a good opportunity before the break but the score remained at 1 - 0. Despite the late first half setback Gresford came out with a positive attitude with chances again falling to Rob Rondel and Simon Smith but keeper Morgan continued to prove his worth and the home side saw an opportunity to double their lead in the 65th minute run wide when Gresford failed to clear a loose ball from a corner. Ian Matthias then saw a goal bound shot deflected wide and Penrhyncoch cleared the ball for a Gresford throw in deep inside their own half. As so often had worked in the past Kevin Hope threw the ball back to Gareth Rowland whose subsequent clearance from the left hand side of his box was picked up in midfield by Dylan James who took advantage of the vacant goal and struck the ball into the top left to take the home team further ahead in 74th minute. Stef Edwards and Owen Roberts were then introduced for Josh Page and Nathan Pugh and the fresh legs soon had the desired effect with good work on the left winning a corner for the visitors and Simon Smith's delivery was met by Ian Matthias who struck the ball low through the Penryhncoch defence and past keeper Morgan. Gresford then pinned the home side back in their half in an effort to level the score but a well won free kick on the edge of the box was poorly delivered and Penrhyncoch played the ball out and this was collected on the right by Dylan James who with only Rowland's to beat chipped the ball over the advancing keeper to take away the chance of Gresford at least going home with a point. Good football was played today which unfortunately is not portrayed in the score line but at least some positives can be taken out of the game |
