Gresley Rovers vs Dorchester Town
Deadly accurate Dorchester picked at the threads of patched-up Gresley with the precision of a needlework expert.
Ramshackle Rovers were swept away at a weather-beaten Moat Ground by the Beazer Premier's basement club who arrived with a shot-shy reputation.
Unfancied Dorchester had managed just nine goals in 12 outings – four of them in their only previous win at Hednesford.
However, it was the contrasting selection fortunes of the two team bosses which dictated the outcome of this clash.
Out for Rovers went late injury withdrawals Martin Devaney, Paul Acklam and Richard Wardle to add to a causality list also containing Richard Denby and Mike Taplin. Both Nigel Simms and Tony Marsden were also missing through suspension.
Manager Steve Dolby re-shuffled his pack and included former Borrowash Vics striker Paul Galloway for the first time. But Dolby admitted after the game: "You can't get away with a makeshift side at this level."
His opposite number, Stuart Morgan, held the winning hand with his side lifted by the introduction of three new players.
The pre-match attention may have been focused on the highly rated Colin Loss, but it was the midfield promptings of Dorchester midfield man Shaun Brooks which knocked Gresley's bandwagon off the rails.
And it took all the guile and experience of veteran keeper Bob Aston to retain a goalless scoreline at half time.
He dived bravely at the feet of striker Tony Diaz, and when Loss committed himself rashly in a tackle, Neil Manson burst through to again bring out the best in the 'keeper.
Mark Hurst's instinctive shot from recalled Dave Swainston's cross represented a rare foray for a side deprived of its leading scorers including 11-goal Devaney. He scored twice when Gresley defeated Dorchester in their league baptism back in August.
But without him, the punchless Moatmen were finally cut open with a goal which made a mockery of Dorchester's current standing.
Gary Green held possession to create space for David Coleman to whip over a splendid 47th minute cross which Manson met with a ferocious header which rocketed past Aston.
Nick Stanborough briefly revived Gresley's fortunes with a crisp volley which was well saved by Mark Coombe.
But the towering central defenders must shoulder some of the blame for the 72nd minute goal which put the match out of the home's side reach.
Instead of opting to thump the ball out of danger his intended pass went straight to Green, who picked out Tony Diaz, leading scorer from the Beazer League in the 1991-92 season. He did not connect properly with the shot but it rolled in off a post.
"Their first goal was a cracker, but I was disappointed with the manner in which we conceded the second. We should have put more effort in to stop the ball from crossing the line," added Dolby.
Chris Moore almost contrived an unlikely revival, twice bursting clear of the tiring Dorchester back-line.
His tame side-foot is best forgotten but Moore, far more purposeful on the second occasion, ran on strongly to shoot just wide.
But in the end, Dolby's pre-match hopes of a top ten place – on this occasion – were blown away by unwelcome visitors.
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Dorchester Town (0) 2
Scorers: Manson 47, T Diaz 72
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Blount (Dick 77), Swainston, Loss, Evans, Stanborough, Weston, Rigg, Hurst, Moore, Galloway (Elliott 70).
Dorchester Town: Coome, Diaz, J White, Coleman, Bradford, Canning, Lloyd, Brooks T Diaz, Green, Manson. Subs not used: Waters, Davies.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Bob Aston
Referee: P Salter (Dudley) replaced by S Cartwright (Stafford).
Attendance: 564
Attendance: 564
