Gresley Rovers vs Armitage
Under the influence – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
The Influence Combination took the honours as league leaders Armitage scored an impressive victory over West Midlands front-runners Gresley Rovers at the Moat Ground last night.
Gresley were long on possession but short on ideas in the opening exchanges as Armitage, sound in defence and playing neat, organised football through the middle began to make their mark on an entertaining friendly watched by 227 fans.
Paul Haddock should have put them ahead when Gresley keeper Simon Harrison parried a Bobby McDonald cross to his feet but he put the ball wide of an empty net from 15 yards.
Ten minutes from the break, though, he made amends, flicking Stavros Stavrou’s free kick past the keeper after a perfectly timed run into the box put him clear.
Gresley created a string of half chances as they put Armitage defence under pressure in the second half but the Kings Bromley side always looked dangerous on the break and substitute Tony Dawkins could have easily grabbed a hat trick.
He fired over an open goal after robbing Steve Astley then produced two excellent saves from Harrison, the first at his feet as he ran through unchallenged and the second a superb reflex stop following Mark Moseley’s cross.
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Armitage (1) 1
Scorer: Haddock 35.
Gresley Rovers from: Harrison, Moore, Barry, Dick, Astley, Land, Evans, Weston, Wardle, Denby, Smith, Lovell, Acklam, King, Meyer.
Attendance: 227
