Gresley Rovers vs Mickleover RBL
Stroll on – Mike StJohn – Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers’ ability to play woefully below par and still manage to win important matches was the main feature of a dour Derbyshire Senior Cup encounter with Mickleover RBL at the Moat Ground on Saturday.
A less than satisfactory display it might have been, but somehow the Moatmen had the edge against their opponents from the Central Midlands League and the main objections were carried out.
For the first half hour, Gresley seemed to be sleepwalking and it took a two-goal burst inside a minute to shake the foundations!
Recent signing centre-forward Reg Priest, playing his first full game for the Moatmen broke the deadlock in the 30th minute and then it took a Brian Beresford goal 50 seconds later to give Gresley a two goal lead they barely deserved.
Battling Mickleover threatened to upset the apple cart with a 67-minute strike from Sean Finnegan and it was not until the 85th minute when Clive Arthur converted from the penalty spot.
Maybe Gresley’s tactics in the early stages was to patiently wait until the Legion ran out of steam, but Mickleover proved to be a stronger outfit than expected.
Mickleover’s Andy Tunnicliffe, a former Newhall United striker, glanced a header over the bar while at the other end Priest had an effort turned over by goalkeeper Dean Mann and Nigel Steele hit an effort over the right upright.
Gresley’s two goals came so quickly it was hard to believe what had happened. Right on the half hour the industrious Brian Attley forced the heroic Mann to make two fine reflex saves in quick succession.
Mann turned Attley’s second attempt round for a corner, Arthur landed his flag kick some 15-yards out and Priest finished off via the inside of the right post to put Gresley 1–0 ahead.
Mickleover lost possession straight after the restart, and the previously ineffective Arthur hared down the right side to find Beresford with a perfect centre.
Beresford smashed the ball home with stunning efficiency to score his ninth goal of the season.
The Legion managed to pull a goal back in the 67th minute but it took a gift back pass from Roger Davies to give Mickleover their opening.
Sean Finnegan seized on the error and unleashed a mighty drive past the stranded McNamara.
The goal injected some urgency into the Mickleover side who sensed they could leave the Moat Ground with more than they realised.
McNamara was clearly beaten by Tunnicliffe’s low drive which skidded agonisingly close to the left post and Gresley survived another dodgy moment when the same player sailed his shot over the bar with McNamara again well off his line.
Gresley’s 2–1 lead was looking a little frail and there was always a strong possibility that Mickleover might steal a late goal.
But when Beresford was floored a yard inside the penalty area by Dean Mann’s brother, Paul, Clive Arthur struck the resultant penalty hard and straight to make it 3–1 with only five minutes remaining.
Gresley Rovers (2) 3
Mickleover RBL (0) 1
Scorers: Priest 30, Beresford 31, Arthur 85 (p) Gresley; Finnegan 67 (Mickleover).
Gresley Rovers: McNamara, Attley, Pegg, Bromley, Davies, Thompson (Dearn 21), Arthur, Earley, Priest, Beresford, Steele. Sub not used: Dolby.
