Gresley Rovers vs Tividale
Rovers miss key men – Burton Mail
Off-key Rovers stuttered to a victory that left manager Frank Northwood groaning: “We’re glad it’s all over.”
Northwood is banking on his reshuffled side stepping up their game for next week’s FA Cup visit of HFS Loans giants Witton Albion. And he promised after Saturday’s fifth straight league win: “It’ll be a different game next week.”
Rovers, with their list of notable absentees swelled by injury to Martin Dick and Paul Acklam’s suspension, lacked the craft to break down the visitors and it was only after a late introduction of substitutes Steve Adcock and new boy Rees Simpson that they finally began to look their footballing selves.
With Dale apparently there for the taking there was no Rover prepared to seize responsibility and, with the ball pinging around on a rock hard surface, frustration took over.
Tividale’s offside trap – aided by some dubious flagging from the line – kept Gresley out right up until half time. But just as Tividale were beginning to think luck was on their side Neil Lovell’s cross eluded keeper Mick Adams and Andy Maddocks, limping from a knee injury that eventually forced his withdrawal, eased the pain with a simple conversion.
Kieron Smith hit a post after 55 minutes with a close range header and centre half Steve Kettle valiantly intercepted Brian Beresford’s cross with Maddocks poised to claim his second but there was little else to excite until the arrival of fresh legs from the bench.
The youthful Simpson made his first telling contribution within two minutes of rising from the dugout when he headed a clearance back into the penalty area where Michael Guest helped the ball on. Beresford’s cross shot brought a one-handed save from Adams but Adcock nipped between two flailing defenders to force the ball over the line.
Six minutes later Simpson’s cross from the right seemed to be no threat until Kettle, attempting to pass back, headed the ball past Adams. The goal added an emphatic look to the scoreline that slightly flattered Rovers and made the return of their sidelined stars something to look forward to that little bit more.
Gresley Rovers (1) 3
Tividale (0) 0
Scorers: Maddocks 45, Adcock 78, Kettle (og) 84.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Bottomley, Bromley, Denby, Land, Astley, Guest, Smith, Maddocks (Adcock 63), Beresford, Lovell (Simpson 77).
Tividale: Adams, Bradley, Hamblett, Sharpe, Kettle, Weaver (Simms 66), Lowe, Dunne, Delahay, Beckford, Robinson. Sub not used: Hampton.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Steve Astley.
Referee: P Cox (Coventry).
Attendance: 387
