UniBond League Division One
The Stan Brown Stadium, Kidsgrove
Tuesday, 3rd April 2007, 7.45pm
Rovers draw a blank
Although the scoreline suggests a comprehensive beating but nothing could be farther from the truth.
It was the failure to defend set pieces that caused Rovers' downfall something that has seen points dropped on several occasions this season.
The visitors had the first decent chance almost at the start of the game when Paul Edwards did well to shield the ball before putting Patrick Bannister through. The shot was on target but Kidsgrove's keeper James Coates saved well pushing the ball behind for a corner.
Edwards himself had a golden opportunity on 5 minutes when Coates failed to collect a Nick Hawkins corner but the striker, in space, smashed the ball well over.
Rovers were well on top but a lack of finishing prevented them from taking the lead.
Skipper Colin Hoyle was then handed a chance but he could only head Shaun Ridgway's free kick straight at Coates.
On 23 minutes Kidsgrove took the lead totally against the run of play. With possibly their first chance of the half Richard Eyres corner found Mark Beeston who's free header found the back of the net.
Kidsgrove doubled their lead just seven minutes later and from another Eyre corner. Matt Rhead flicked the ball on from the edge of the area and Beeston powered in a header that was cleared off the line but he responded quickly to ram in the rebound.
Rovers hit back and could have reduced the deficit but for a brilliant save from Coates who pushed Edwards's shot round the post.
Coates was Kidsgrove's hero with just five minute of the half left. Rovers' Oli Olanipekun sent Ridgway on his way towards goal and with the defenders backpedalling the midfielder hit a stinging shot that Coates pushed round the post.
Rovers were denied a penalty right on the half time whistle when Bannister's shot was handled by a defender but the referee Mr Hobday waved away the appeals as Edwards's shot was then cleared off the line.
The visitors were left to rue all the missed first half chances as Kidsgrove increased the pressure and on 50 minutes. Rhead sent the ball to Wayne Brotherton who passed back to Stephen Jones but the final shot was straight at Rovers' keeper Tom Allan.
A Rovers corner gave Chris Archer the chance to get on the scoreboard but Coates held his shot.
On 67 minutes Bannister made a run down the left before coming inside and firing a shot that was just wide of the near post.
Kidsgrove's Michael Lennon should have made it three but somehow put his shot well over the bar from a good position but he did not have long to wait to increase the lead.
On 77 minutes Gresley were caught as the pressed for a goal. Lennon was put through and with only Allan to beat he slid the ball past the keeper and into the net.
