Gray pleased with glimpses in defeat to Step Three side

GRESLEY Rovers were beaten 2-1 away to Barwell in their second preseason friendly - a decent effort against a Step Three side.

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Barwell finished in the relegation places in the Southern League Premier Division Central but will be staying at that level, two steps above the Moatmen, after others dropped out.

Rovers boss Andy Gray was therefore pleased with how his side coped with the challenge.

“I'm happy with it against Step Three opposition - it was always going to be tough and they moved the ball about very well,” he said.

“It wasn't about the result, it was about the performance and we're starting to replicate and do the things we've been working on, which is very positive.

“We had a lot of chances and the football was decent.

“As long as we're creating chances, I'm not frustrated - their keeper made some very good saves.

“Some of the players we've brought in have lifted the standard a bit but, more importantly, they're buying into the ethics of what we're doing.”

As expected Gray made changes for this game with both Fin Barker and Liam Kavanagh starting.