GRESFORD ATHLETIC RESERVES 2 BRYNTEG 1
By Captain Web

Four changes were made from last weeks Cup success with the previously cup tied Luke Peate and Matt Davies earning instant recalls. Pricey was available and he came in for Craig Trow and with Robbie on first team duty, Sooty switched to fullback.

If there was going to be a day when our terrific run was going to be ended and our resolve put to the test then this was it. Still smarting after our early season rocky horror show and 5-0 mauling, I was gutted to find the visitors were able to call on ex Bangor City , Aber and Welshpool stalwart Ricky Evans and what a tremendous player he is.

Whilst Ricky was quite awesome at times, Richie and Keeno worked terrifically hard all afternoon to close him down and as the game wore on, he started to drop deeper and deeper. In many ways, this game could be hailed as ‘the day Keeno and Richie' came of age.

Owen playing on the right flank was poll axed twice early on resulting in him playing no further part in the game but his place was taken by Sean Winters who had earlier been released to play from the first team and he again coped well.

The wind proved to be a huge leveller and Evans who normally picks out players by the acuracy of an inch was denied by both the swirling wind which spoiled the game as a contest as well as two snapping terriers of ours in midfield.

Mike Price made a fine save at the foot of the post to enable us to go in at the break all square with neither side creating too many chances.

We started the second half sprightly enough and made the early running but our great old mate ‘Sozzer' scored with a scorching shot from a full 35 yards for the visitors to go 1-0 up.

Most sides up against Brynteg these days just cave in but not us. We showed terrific character and took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Almost immediately after the goal, we were denied what I thought was a stone wall penalty when Sean Winters was chopped down inside the box but the referee Lance Britner waved play on.

On 58 minutes we deservedly got back on level terms, Gaz and Keeno linked well to play in young Seany and he got us back on level terms pulling the trigger with the accuracy of an SAS marksman.

The goal clearly gave us a big lift and we only had to wait another 3 minutes for our next goal and it came from the master craftsmen Chris Broadhirst who I really do believe is one of the very best signings the Reserves have made for some significant time. He battled hard all afternoon for which most of it he was just out numbered but Richie played a ball into his feet and he went on to send a thumping shot past the keeper. He took some time to get off the mark after first joining us but what a difference he has made to the side. My first thoughts when the goal went in were ‘ Burton 's window my arse' as that was the wager I had that he would reach double figures by the end of March. In fact his record is 10 goals in 14 starts which is a great statistic regardless of the level being played

We were forced to live on our nerves a bit as the clock ticked down with Pricey forced to deal with a series of corners and free-kicks

You would have thought we had won the league when you saw the players reactions when the ref did eventually blew his final whistle.

It was a terrific team performance, Pricey was flawless and the decision to vote him man of the match was a popular choice. Soot strutted his stuff, Haggis played his best game of the season for me and young Luke has this fine art to win the ball regardless of how unorthodox it seems at times. Chal, our ‘Captain Courageous' at left back was once again an unsung hero, he has the work ethic of a seaside donkey and he won an array of fine challenges and headers.

Sean and Gaz on the flanks provided a great balance working alongside the ‘The Twins'. Matt Davies and Broady are looking the best strike partnership in the league at the moment.

Whilst it was the players who earned this fine win – lets pay some credit to Ady and Sam who have a squad of 18 players who would walk over broken glass for them.

An heroic victory and a great days work !

In a delayed post match interview with Ady who along with Sam went on the ‘lash' after the win as they had been granted permission to stay out late. Ady really did enjoy summarising the win and for the first time ever he was almost speechless. "It was a great test for us and I must confess when we went a goal down I wondered where a goal was going to come from. It was a terrific result and I am sure our fitness levels played a big part."

TWA – Tea Award: GPJ – You had to be there to see the funny side of Gaz falling over he boot lace after Broady's goal and pretending his fall was some form of ritual and goal celebration !! It did not fool Ady one bit.

Team: 1. Mike Price (9) 2. Graham Sutcliffe (8) 3. Luke Peate (8) 4. Steve Halliwell (9) 5. Paul Chaloner (8) 6. Paul Jones (8) 7. Richie Carr (8) 8. Gaz Pugh Jones 8 9. Chris Broadhurst (8) 10. Owen Roberts (8) 11. Matt Davies (8) SUBS: 12. Sean Winter (8) 14. Huw Birkdale (-) 15. Chris Hughes (-)

MOM Mike Price