GRESFORD ATHLETIC RESERVES 2 PENYCAE RES 0

By Captain Web

OK so this is getting mighty monotonous having me wax lyrical over another Gresford win !! “The Ady and Big Sam juggernaught rolls on and on” and despite naming an under strength side we picked up another three points against a Penycae side which had the odd first team flavour. We did welcome back Pricey in goal who replaced Craig Trow.

With a huge cup tie on the horizon, Ady decided to rest several key players. Broady and Haggis were left out altogether and the likely lads from midfield Keeno and Cargo had to be content with a place on the bench.

The purpose was to keep the side as fresh as possible and I think for the first time in ages the result became a secondary objective.

It wasn't the ‘Thriller from Manilla' sort of game which we have been used to but it did give a great chance for Ady to see how six teenagers would combine without the protection of the older lads.

Geoff Owen the player manager at Penycae was the busier of the two keepers being tested by with Gaz and Daz, (sounds more like an Ant and Dec combo)

We opened our account midway through the first half when a well weighted corner by Gaz was volleyed home off the inside of the post by Paddy's best new bonking mate Owen Roberts.

The most impressive aspect for me was the contribution of the young guns, Sean Winter in particular worked his flank well and ran the Penycae defence ragged at times.

We were aware Chal was not 100% fit so it was a chance to prove his full fitness prior to the weekends semi-final, sadly he did not last the course and he limped off after 55 minutes with toe and ankle problems and he was replaced by Keeno.

Owen and Hughesy up front made up for their lack of height with a real energetic performance and it again emphasises the real bright future they have ahead of them.

Chris must have covered miles chasing lost causes and when he ran out of steam late on he was replaced by Matt Davies who signalled his involvement with a terrific goal to take him ahead of Broady on the ‘scoring stakes'. Sean broke down the right and floated a cross into the box, Matt out jumped his marker with a header which fell to his feet and he beat Owen from six yards out.

MOM Sean Winters for a very accomplished display.

Team: 1. Mike Price(7) 2. Robbie Jones (8) 3. Paul Chaloner(7) 4. Luke Peate(7) 5. Graham Sutcliffe (8) 6. Hugh Jones(8) 7. Shaun Winter(9) 8. Darren Jones(7) 9. Chris Hughes (7) 10. Owen Roberts (8) 11. Gaz Pugh-Jones(8) SUBS: 12. Richard Carr (7) 14. Matt Davies(7) 15.Paul Jones (7)