Tamworth vs Gresley Rovers
Lamb feast for Rovers – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers gave themselves a perfectly timed pre-season boost last night with an unlikely victory over Tamworth.
And while Lambs boss Graham Smith may have devalued the game somewhat with a mass of half time substitutions his Gresley counter-part Frank Northwood saw enough to put himself in a confident mood for Saturday’s opening fixture, saying: “Any win at Tamworth has got to be a good one.”
Beazer Homes League Tamworth, sharper and more aggressive than their old rivals, looked good value for a 1-0 half time lead were never allowed to dominate the game.
And Rovers, playing themselves out of trouble whenever they could, hauled themselves to victory in the second period as Tamworth underwent a mass reshuffle.
Northwood was quick to pay tribute to the architect of his side’s win afterwards. “Kieron Smith was magnificent,” he said.
Smith drove home the equaliser just five minutes after the restart, beating rookie keeper Darren Whiteley from outside the box.
Then, with just five minutes remaining, he combined with Paul Dearn on the left after Neil Lovell’s determination had set him free for a typical, probing run before setting up Andy Maddocks for his second goal in as many outings with a firm far post header.
In between times, though, Rovers were once again indebted to keeper Bob Aston who produced a string of superb saves to deny the FA Vase holders.
He made thrilling second half stops from Karl Rathbone, Corrigan Lockett and Rovers old boy Martin Devaney but the best came when he back pedalled to flick Michael Guest’s errant backpass from under the bar.
Tamworth had led from the 35th minute through a header by defender Andy Damjanovic – who almost joined Rovers from Eastwood Hanley in the close season. But after that they could find no way past the inspirational Aston.
Tamworth (1) 1
Gresley Rovers (0) 2
Scorers: Damjanovic 35 (Tamworth); Smith 50, Maddocks 85 (Gresley Rovers).
Tamworth: Belford, Lockett, McCormack, Damjanovic, Cartwright, Finn, Myers, Ecclestone, Stanton, Gordon, James. Subs (all used): Rathbone, House, Devaney, Jenas, Ward, Whiteley.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Guest (Perry 45), Dick (Guest 70), Denby, Land, Turner (Astley 70), Laws (Dearn 75) , Astley (Lovell 45), Acklam, Maddocks, Smith.
Referee: H Tomson (Tamworth).
Attendance: 912
