Note that this page is from our Gresley Rovers archive. It may not be related to the new Gresley Rovers (formerly Gresley FC until 2020).
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Legendary South Derbyshire-born goal keeper Jack Fairbrother was a surprise visitor to Raunds Town’s Kiln Road ground on Saturday to provide a poignant and nostalgic reminder to visitors Gresley Rovers of what they were playing for.
Now a sprightly 74, Fairbrother, a member of Newcastle United’s all-conquering side of the early 1950s, now lives a stones throw from the Northamptonshire’s club’s newly-built ground and turned up to greet Rovers clutching a 1951 winner’s medal.Gresley, though, looked like stumbling at the very first hurdle of this season’s competition when they went behind to a debatable 59th minute penalty – only to level through a John Barry spot kick 14 minutes from time.
Coach Steve Dolby confessed later: “I thought we were on the way out when they scored. The way the game was going I thought we weren’t going to get back into it – but we showed character to come back.
“The conditions meant it was an awful game and we didn’t play that well – but we’ll be looking to finish the job tomorrow.”
Striker Paul Acklam was withdrawn after 73 minutes of Saturday’s game with a groin injury but hopes to be fit for tomorrow’s replay at the Moat Ground (7.45pm).
Rovers will be hoping to clinch a lucrative second qualifying round tie at home to Beazer Homes Premier Division leaders VS Rugby, who beat Lincolnshire side Stamford 2-0 at Butlin Road on Saturday.
The winners of that game must then travel to either Chasetown, Bilston Town or Banbury United in the third qualifying round.
