Gedling gave a battling performance against an in-form Heanor side that was looking for their 9th win on the bounce and, Gedling, on any other day, would have given a return for their efforts, however in front of 92 sun baked spectators on this occasion came away from the Town Ground pointless.

The home side started the game playing down the slope and had the ball in the net after 10 minutes only for Jamie Sleights effort was ruled out by the lineman's flag. Gedling's backline were superb through-out the match limiting Heanor and the league’s top goal scorer Sleigh to very few opportunities. For their part Gedling were creating chances with Jack Jepson crowded out after a jinking run, a Luke Smith free kick that had the resolute home back line scrambling to under pressure from Liam Corrigan.

As the 1st half came to a close Gedling had two chances to go in at half time 1 to the good. Firstly Charlie Roberts powered his way through to hook the ball past the on rushing Heanor number one only to see his shot clear the far post. Secondly, with seconds remaining, the busy Jimmy Spiers found himself free at the far post but could not direct his header into the gaping net. Overall a good half for Gedling who really did deserve some reward for their efforts in the 24 degree heat.
HT 0-0

The second period started much as the first had finished with the impressive Danny Elliott fizzing a shot narrowly wide with the home defence all looking at each other. Gedling skipper Ross McCaughey also caused some consternation with a dangerous free kick that was eventually scrambled to safety despite the close attentions of on-rushing attacking line.

On 61 came a decision that would ultimately affect the outcome of the game with Gedling going down to 10 men following the dismissal of the impressive Matt Fowler for remarks made to the assistant referee, causing raised eye brows from both sides and supporters. Most neutral observers thought a yellow might have been the better option especially as this wasn’t the first incident of this kind during this game.

To make matters worse “The Lions” made the man advantage count within a couple of minutes when 38 goal machine Jamie Sleight fired home after great work from the impressive Kyle Daley who strode down the right flank to square the ball for Sleigh to fire home from 12 yards.

Gedling dug in as the half wore on and really looked the better side as they looked to take something out of the game. As the half wore on and the heat took its toll Gedling introduced fresh legs with Dwayne Brown replacing Courtney Hasting’s and Ryan Perkins coming on for Danny Elliot. These changes gave Gedling some more energy and they were unlucky not to salvage a draw when Jimmy Spiers hit the bar with a thunderous effort 10 minutes from time.

A fair outing for Gedling who had chances to take something from the game and all in attendance would say a draw would have been a fair result especially after the harsh sending off on 61 minutes. Heanor however continue their winning streak with that fine finish from Jamie Sleight that now stretches to 9 games. FT 1-0

Gedling will look to bounce back from this defeat when complete their home fixtures on
Tuesday night playing hosts to local rivals Arnold Town - KO is at 1945.

Managerial quote following the game : "We’re hugely disappointed with the result at Heanor, we’ve travelled to the form side in the league & should have come away with something. The heat and pitch surface may have took some of the quality away from the game but the lads were certainly committed to getting the right result regardless of the stage of the season. On another day we’d have taken a lead into a half time, I guess that coupled with a second half decision that went against us has typified much of our season ! The lads were hurt after the game which considering where we are says a lot about the dressing room we have created, they’ll certainly up for correcting yesterday’s result against Arnold on Tuesday"

Gedling Man of Match
Liam Corrigan

Match Attendance – 92
Referee – Jordan Bancroft
Assistant Referees – Frank Webster and David Henfrey

Heanor Town – Wayne White (C), Robert Ritchie-Smith, Oliver Pratt, Max Thornberry, Samuel Birks, Jake Carlisle, Kyle Daley,
Jesse Vowles, Max Mclead (Ben Edgson 45’), Adam Robley, Jamie Sleigh.
Unused Substitutes – Bart Banks, Ewan Richardson, Joe Hardy, Rueban Nwadike.

Gedling Miners Welfare – Danny Brown, Charlie Roberts, Felix Hogg, Ross McCaughey (C), Liam Corrigan,
Daniel Elliott (Ryan Perkins 75’), Luke Smith, Matt Fowler, Courtney Hastings (Dwayne Brown 69’), Jimmy Spiers, Jack Jepson
Unused Substitutes – David Boafo, Joe Meakin, Jurgen Charlesworth.
Dismissal – Fowler (Foul and Abusive language 61’)

Match report compiled and edited by Ian Williams
(ianwill737@gmail.com)