UCL Division 1
April 8, 2023
Gedling edge closer to safety after Kirby Muxloe victory.
The Miners came into this game after a thumping 6-1 victory at Grantham Academy but started slowly again and on 8 minutes the visitors hit the front, Jahren Barrow gave possession away inside his own half and Adam Parry crossed for Tyler Love to slot past Louis Richardson from 5 yards to give Kirby the advantage.
Gedling didn’t let their heads drop and just 3 minutes later they were level, Kieran Harrison won an aerial duel in the middle of the park which fell to Courtney Hastings who slipped in Ruben Wiggins-Thomas and the experienced forward slotted the ball into the bottom left corner from 15 yards for his 8th of the campaign to draw the hosts level.
Kirby, who sit 10th in the table should have taken the lead just 3 minutes after Gedling levelled, Lucca Watson-Quilter beat the offside trap and only had Richardson to beat but Gedling’s shot stopper stayed tall and made a brilliant save to keep the scores level.
Richardson again kept Gedling in it as on 19 minutes Parry mishit an effort from 5 yards with the goal gaping but Richardson did well to get across and tip the ball out for a corner.
Gedling began to enjoy spells of possession and on 24 minutes Kirby’s keeper was called into action, Paolo Piliero and Greg Tempest combined well down the left and Piliero put it across to Josh Thornton who hit a sweet first time strike from 20 yards which was beaten away.
On 31 minutes the hosts were given a chance to go in front, Wiggins-Thomas did well to hold up the ball before spinning his man who dragged him down in the box and the ref pointed to the spot. Captain Thornton took responsibility and slotted the penalty into the bottom right corner for his 4th of the season and to give Gedling the lead.
The Miners didn’t sleep on this lead and went about looking for a 3rd and created a golden chance on 34 minutes, Harrison again won back possession before picking out Wiggins-Thomas who squared to Zachary Hill who scuffed his effort from 10 yards and the ball was put back into the area, but Hastings acrobatic effort flew over the bar.
On 38 minutes Gedling went close again, a clever corner saw Harrison peel off to the edge of the area and his effort was deflected onto the crossbar from Barrow and the visitors cleared and Gedling went into the break 2-1 up.
On 56 minutes Gedling were let off massively, the visitors broke down the right before a cross picked out the unmarked Kieran Alleynw who somehow dragged his effort wide from 4 yards out.
Gedling were defending brilliantly as a unit and on 73 minutes they had a glorious chance to extend the lead, Hill who was brilliant throughout was 1v1 with the visitor’s keeper, but Gedling’s winger effort was saved.
On 83 minutes Gedling’s task was made harder, Barrow was shown a 2nd yellow card for kicking the ball away and the miners had to play the final stages with 10 men.
On 88 minutes Richardson preserved the lead as he did brilliantly to tip Parry’s powerful header over the bar and the miners held on for another massive 3 points to move 5 points clear of the drop zone.
Gedling MOM – Kieran Harrison
Gedling Team – Louis Richardson, Jahren Barrow, Paolo Piliero, Kieran Harrison, Adrain Hawes, Ross McCaughey, Zachary Hill (Danny Dixon 84’), Josh Thornton (C), Courtney Hastings (Fenn Davies 63’), Ruben Wiggins-Thomas (Josh Stevenson 89’), Greg Tempest
