Tipton Town vs Gresley Rovers
There’s more to come, vows Scally – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley new boy Wayne Scally played a key role in dismantling Tipton then vowed: “The fans haven’t seen the best of me yet.”
Scally admitted after a hard-fought win that Rovers’ tremendous support was a key factor in his decision to leave Paget Rangers – for whom he starred consistently against Gresley in a series of six league, cup and Vase games earlier this season.
And he could not have failed to be impressed with the turnout at Tipton, where Gresley supporters mad up the whole of the crowd.
Sadly, though, Rovers were unable to repeat their goal romp of seven days earlier, when they despatched Town 9-0.
Predictably, it was a more determined Tipton this time out and Rovers had to work hard for their win. They dominated for long spells without being able to find a finishing touch until Scally struck a tremendous debut goal on 37 minutes.
Richard Denby’s through ball was blocked by a defender but Scally whipped the loose ball into the bottom corner of the net right footed from 22 yards.
The goal was fitting reward for Rovers’ dominance but gritty Tipton could have turned the game on it’s head after the break as, incredibly, they carved out a series of chances.
Gresley were stretched by a series of breakaways and only two incredible misses in a two-minute spell let them off the hook.
First highly rated striker John Holcroft was unable to push home the rebound after Bob Aston had blocked his close-range shot.
Then Holcroft raced down the left before finding fellow striker Andy Powell at the far post with a perfect cross but the Tipton number eight wafted the ball wide with the goal at his mercy.
Within a minute Gresley had extracted the maximum penalty for Tipton’s waywardness. Scally – whose long throws will become a regular feature of Gresley’s play – hurled the ball deep into Town’s danger zone and although substitute Steve Adcock miscued his shot Paul Acklam was perfectly placed to turn the ball home from six yards.
Tipton Town (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (1) 2
Scorers: Scally 37, Acklam 78.
Tipton Town: Garrington, Hall, Danks, Shettlewood, Mullinder, Moroney, Harrison, Powell, Holcroft, Bailey, Bache. Subs not used: Wilde, Kelford.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Guest, Perry, Denby, Land, Skeemer, Scally, Norton, Acklam, Smith (Nicklin 75), Astley (Adcock 72).
Gresley man-of-the-match: Wayne Scally.
Referee: J R Biddle (Solihull).
Attendance: 110
