Gresley Rovers vs Millfields
100 per cent Rovers – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers kept up their 100 per cent start to the Banks’s League season at a stroll last night.
Two goals in each half gave Gresley a comfortable win over Millfields, but as manager Frank Northwood was quick to point out afterwards: “We could have had a bagful.”
Time and again Rovers’ slick football opened up Millfields and only wayward finishing saved the visitors from humiliation.
But Northwood said: “I’m pleased with the way we played and that we kept making the chances.”
Rovers were irresistible from the off but took 18 minutes to open the scoring. Richard Denby’s free kick picking out Paul Acklam for a net-bulging header.
After that Rovers queued up to test their finishing skills with Kieron Smith and Brian Beresford putting efforts just wide and stand-in right back Steve Adcock forcing a splendid save from Garry Price.
Midfielder Neil Lovell doubled Gresley’s advantage with a low 18-yarder just before the break after Acklam and Michael Guest had worked the ball over from the right.
Then Lovell’s through ball put Beresford clear but with the crowd baying for a third goal he allowed Price to save at his feet.
Price had plenty more opportunity to excel, making a splendid diving stop from Acklam’s far post header after Beresford had skilfully turned the ball across from the left.
Gresley’s reshaped strike force was producing some delightful attacking play but it was defender Philip Hollingsworth who was next to find the net, burying an attempted clearance from Denby’s free kick.
Rovers keeper Bob Aston had not had a shot to save at this stage but an uncharacteristic blunder by full back Martin Dick blotted his clean sheet again.
Dick allowed Steve Bradshaw to rob him on the edge of the box and Aston was stranded as the substitute shot low into the net from the left of the box.
Within three minutes Guest freed Beresford to superbly set up Kieron Smith to restore Rovers’ three-goal lead with a close range header. But it was not to be Beresford’s night in front of goal.
Twice in the last minute he raced clear with just the keeper to beat but failed to deliver his first Moat Ground goal since rejoining the club from Stapenhill.
Gresley Rovers (2) 4
Millfields (0) 1
Scorers: Acklam 8, Lovell 42, Hollingsworth (og) 64, Smith 84 (Gresley Rovers); Bradshaw 81 (Milfields).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Adcock, Dick, Denby, Land, Astley, Guest, Smith, Acklam, Beresford, Lovell (Haskins 86). Sub not used: Maddocks.
Millfields: Price, Noakes, Owen, Johnson, Hollingsworth, Haynes, Cosnett, Philips (Bradshaw 81), Sherwood, Benbow, Scott. Sub not used: Edwards.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Richard Denby.
Referee: P J Clarke (Kingswinford).
Attendance: 431
