On a warm but wet morning Greshams assembled for what would be, unbelievably, their last home fixture of another campaign - but a campaign that might finally culminate in some long awaited silverware. With Kit and Matt absent, Neil Potter and Cash stepped in to the team, the former looking to retain his 100% record of bookings this season. This caused some pre match banter as Neil described how he was merely defending himself when he elbowed the opposition striker in the face the previous week.
With the banter over the serious business of taking a step nearer the title was in hand. The opposition, Feathers, had been beaten a few weeks earlier, but following the 10-2 thrashing they gave Greshams pre-Christmas, were still ahead on aggregate. The team looking to bounce back from the narrow defeat against fellow title hopefulls Eastern was: the returning Rob 'Southall' White in goals; a back four of Harry, Greg, Hamblin and Cash; in midfield, Emy, Sam, Potter and Froudy, with Norfolk and Rob Minns up front and a strong bench of Rich Minns and, making a rare but welcome appearance, Cooky.
From the off it was obvious that conditions would make this a difficult game. Greshams kicked off playing down the hill into the Pavilion End with a strong wind against them. The surface was greasy on top from the overnight rain, but rock hard under the slippery surface so the ball was both skidding off it and bouncing unpredictably. Nevertheless Greshams had a good opportunity to take an early lead when a brilliant through ball from Sam found Rob Minns springing the offside trap and running through with just the keeper to beat. However, the keeper had anticipated the danger and rushed off his line to spread himself and make a decent save.
With the wind at their backs however Feathers were making a few chances of their own and nearly went ahead themselves when a shot from distance caught Rob a little by surprise. Rob could only parry the shot which looped up over his head and looked likely to bounce over the line until Rob managed to spin round and cuff the ball away to safety. Shortly later Rob was in more conventional action when another long range effort looked destined for the bottom corner but Rob was able top get down to his right and palm the ball away brilliantly.
Feathers were enjoying most of the possession but it was Greshams who, slightly against the run of play, took the lead mid way through the half. Steve Norfolk got the goal as if to prove he is more than a fox in the box. Collecting a throw in on the angle of the box, Norfolk let it run across him to fool the defender, and then hit a lovely dipping shot which dropped perfectly in to the far corner giving the keeper no chance.
The rest of the half played out in scruffy fashion with neither side able to produce much of quality in the conditions. Feathers continued to enjoy most of the possession but without creating anything clear cut.
Half Time Greshams 1 Feathers 0
Steve Hamblin, feeling the effects of a virus, made way for Cooky at half time. The game itself continued in the same rather scrappy vein but with Greshams now having the advantage of the strong breeze enjoying more possession. Early in the half, Rob Minns found himself one on one with the keeper again. Once again the keeper made a brave stop but this time as both players skidded through, a nasty collision occurred and the keeper had to go off injured. Unfortunately for Greshams the replacement keeper was well up to the task and was soon in action making a brilliant save to tip over a Greshams header. Emy, who was having a storming second half, was also denied when he narrowly missed a trademark header at the far post.
1-0 is always a nervous scoreline however and a rare Feathers foray into Greshams territory saw Rob once again having to be at his best to save a header that was directed downwards and bounced up forcing a reflex save from the Greshams keeper.
However Greshams nerves were steadied with 10 minutes to go. Rich Minns, on for Potter, played some great link up passes with brother Rob culminating in Rob sliding the ball through to Froudy. Froudy did well to round the keeper but for a moment it looked like he may have run the ball too far. However he was able to slide the ball home from a narrow angle to give Greshams a 2-0 lead that they were never in danger of relinquishing.
Full Time Greshams 2 Feathers 0
Man of the Match
It was great to get back on back after the defeat to Eastern, and in difficult conditions every Greshams player, including the subs, really put in a shift. Win at Whitton next week and Greshams will be champions, and deservedly so after a great post Christmas run. Man of the Match goes to Emy this week for a real hard working display - not only a threat going forwards but some great defensive covering as well. Well played mate.
