Gresley Rovers vs Oldswinford
Frankly Frank, a poor display – Niall Hickman – Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers strengthened their grip at the top of the Banks’s Brewery Premier Division with a sub-standard showing against Oldswinford.
The win puts Rovers two points ahead of their nearest rivals Lye Town, and with five games in hand.
But the manner of this victory could hardly be deemed in keeping with the festive spirit.
Rovers had neither the wit or imagination to break down a packed Oldswinford defence and, had it not been for an instinctive strike by top scorer Beresford, they would have farcically dropped two points.
Moatmen manager Frank Northwood was guilty of understatement when describing the afternoon’s entertainment as “frankly, poor.”
There was a notable lack of urgency about Gresley’s play after Lovell had given them a dream start in only four minutes. A terrible back-pass by Brassington was intercepted by the winger who coolly shot under Bate’s body.
Rathbone nearly scored his first goal for Rovers when, after 16 minutes he skipped clear of the defence only to round the keeper and see his shot hit the side netting.
Rovers favourite Brian Beresford extended his team’s lead with a typical opportunist strike after 58 minutes.
The rest of the second half disintegrated into midfield scrambles as each side struggled to generate chances. That is until Borth came on in the 78th minute and within seconds headed home Lee’s pinpoint cross.
Gresley Rovers (1) 2
Oldswinford (0) 1
Scorers: Lovell 4, Beresford 58 (Gresley Rovers), Borth 78 (Oldswinford).
Gresley Rovers: Moore, Barry, Elliott, Astley, Land, Weston, Denby, Lovell, Acklam, Smith (Beresford 58), Rathbone. Sub not used: Adcock.
Oldswinford: Bate, Bullingham, Green (Silcock 78), Brassington, Taylor, Potter, Probert, Marsh, Weston, Baker (Borth 78), Lee.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Neil Lovell.
Referee: D Colwell (Kidderminster).
Attendance: 359
