Glass Shatters Belper’s Promotion Aspirations

The Nailers made only one change to the side that beat Willenhall on Tuesday, with Lee Stevenson replacing the injured Tom Naylor, which meant Aaron Pride was called up from the reserves to replace Stevenson on the bench.

Played with a strong wind blowing down the pitch, neither side settled quickly in the opening exchanges, with an Anthony Wilson shot from Ryan Hindley’s cross being the first real chance of the game.

As the game began to settle, it was the home side that mastered the blustery conditions the better of the two, and it was Grantham that took the lead in the 9th minute.

From a deep corner, Alistair Asher found himself at back of the box and was able to lay the ball off to Matt Glass on the edge of the area, who confidently stroked the ball into the far corner beyond the diving Adam Ogden (pictured).

The Nailers did create two chances to draw level, but Dean Oliver’s shot was wide of the mark and Lee Stevenson’s free-kick was straight at the home ‘keeper, Rob Murray.

Glass should have doubled his tally in the 22nd minute after being set through and rounding Ogden, but Richard Adams was on hand to back his ‘keeper up and clear the ball of the line.

From the resulting corner, Sam Percicoe found himself unmarked at the back post, but could not keep his header down, while at the other end, Oliver’s shot was well-saved by Murray at the second attempt.

The turning point of the game came in the 29th minute.

After a clash between Anthony Wilson and Gary Sucharewycz in the box that left the former on his back, the linesman attracted the referee’s attention and, after a brief discussion, Wilson was shown a red card for violent conduct.

Grantham looked to press home the extra man advantage, and would have been successful, but for a string of fine saves from Man of the Match, Adam Ogden.

Ryan Hindley was deemed to have blocked a 32nd minute cross in the area with his hand, with the penalty being awarded by the referee after consultation with his other linesman.

Sam Percicoe stepped up to take the spot kick, but Ogden has able to keep the rather poor attempt out.

Two minutes later, Percicoe had another go with a long range shot, but Ogden was able to palm the ball away at full stretch.

While in the 37th minute, it was Matt Glass’ turn to see Ogden thwart the home team. Glass was put through, but Ogden closed the striker down well and was able to smother the ball at Glass’ feet.

As the half drew to a close, Ogden was again called into to action making another excellent save from Matt Glass.

Grantham started the second half as they ended the first, with both Glass and Ben Saunders seeing shots blocked by Mark Barnard and Richard Adams, respectively; but Grantham did score their second in the 60th minute.

Good work from Ian Robinson allowed him to get in a cross that was met by Ben Saunders at the back post, who was able to head the ball over Ogden.

During this period, a speculative 20 yard shot from Matt Telling that was just over the bar was Belper’s main repost.

With 15 minutes to go, Ogden was again called into action to save his team, making a fine double save from Sam and Ben Saunders, with Percicoe picking up the loose ball, but blazing his shot well over the bar from all of 15 yards.

With five minutes to go Belper did manage to get themselves, momentarily, back into the game.

A good run by Jon Froggatt into the area was well stopped by the home defence, but Lee Stevenson was able to pick up the loose ball and powerfully finish for his 32nd goal of the season.

The game, however, was killed off by the home side four minutes later when Robinson’s pass let in Sam Saunders who was able to put the ball home.

Belper did get a second goal in the 91st minute when Jon Froggatt took on two defenders and cleverly curled the ball into the far corner, but when Danny Hargreaves’ low drive found the back of the net with virtually the last kick of the game, the points were safe for the Gingerbreads.

Grantham Town: Murray, Purcicoe, Potts (King 90), Asher, Sucharewycz, Halcro, Saunders. S, Robinson (c), Glass (Davies 83), Saunders. B, Hargreaves (Hewitt 92). Subs not used: Carchedi, Stubbs.

Belper Town: Ogden, Harcourt, Barnard, Telling, Adams, Haigh (c) (Fedorenko 73), Hindley (Froggatt 45), Stevenson, Oliver, Wilson, Rushbury (Colliver 51). Subs not used: Pride, Hudson.

Referee: B. O’Sullivan (Peterborough)

Attendance: 192

Man of the Match: Adam Ogden

Match Action:
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