Gary Norton takes charge of his first match at the helm of Gresley FC on Saturday in a crucial basement-clash with Selston.
Following a 4-1 defeat to Highgate United last time out, David McDermott was relieved of his duties as first-team manager. Now, Norton leads his Gresley side into their most important match of the season to date against bottom-of-the-table, Selston.
The away side can narrow the gap to Gresley to just a solitary point if they can emerge victorious at the Moat Ground. Currently the outfit, based in Nottinghamshire, sit rock bottom of the Midland Football Premier Division with just 11 points from 22 games.
The Moatmen meanwhile will be looking to move seven points clear of Selston and take a big step towards securing survival in the ninth tier of English football.
Since appointing their new manager in late January, Selston have had a mini revival recently. Despite only picking up four points from their last five games, their performances have improved, and that tally is still markedly better than what they have managed previously.
Selston do, however, come into this game off the back of a 2-0 home defeat to Walsall Wood on Wednesday night. Former Moatman, Michael Nelson scored and assisted for his new club to down the side propping up the division.
Away form has been a massive hindrance for Selston so far this season, with them yet to claim all three points on the road. This will give the Moatmen the incentive to be on the front foot – despite themselves having only won once on their own patch against ten-man Walsall Wood.
A big problem for Gresley recently has been a lack of goals, and they’ll certainly be looking to solve that problem against the league’s second leakiest defence, especially after drawing a blank against Haughmond in their last home fixture.
Due to the recent weather these two sides have yet to meet in the league this campaign, but they did meet earlier in the season in the cup. A crazy game of football saw the match end 4-4 with Selston eventually advancing after penalty kicks.
Gresley will be keen to avenge the cup exit, and claim what would be an incredibly vital win in their survival bid.
The one to watch out for in Selston colours tomorrow is their captain, Ben Moore. Moore has collected three player of the match awards in the league whilst also contributing four goals for his side. The Moatmen will have to be alert to the danger he may pose.
Comments