Wednesfield Social vs Gresley Rovers
Aston saves Rovers from defeat – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley boss Frank Northwood was the first to admit his side were lucky to escape from Wednesfield with a point.
But he was quick to criticise striker Andy Maddocks for missing an early chance that could have changed the course of the game.
Maddocks fired over from Richard Denby’s 12th minute cross and Northwood grumbled, “We knew it was going to be hard here but a goal at that stage could have made a very different game of it.”
In the end Northwood had to be thankful that keeper Bob Aston turned in another near faultless performance.
Aston produced a string of critical stops including a breathtaking late save from winger Paul Moore, who had continually goaded Rovers’ right flank.
Gresley had begun to look vulnerable from the 35th minute after beanpole striker Phil Page for once escaped the diligent marking of Martin Haskins but just failed to meet Paul Wilde’s cross after the midfielder had found time to turn in the penalty area.
Then Page was narrowly off target with a rising drive and Aston tipped over a crashing drive from Moore.
Moore provided extra torment after the break but a double substitution almost turned the game Rovers’ way. Steve Snaith opening the way for Tracey Norton in the box but referee Couldrey ignoring penalty claims as he appeared to be toppled.
Snaith and Norton combined again as Gresley went close to a late clincher, keeper Chris Lunn tipping over the strikers fierce drive, but in between times the chances were all Wednesfield’s.
Mark O’Sullivan shot straight at Aston after jinking again with Moore, who then set up Wilde to shoot over an inviting target. And when Moore seemed certain to score Aston leaped to his left to push Wednesfield’s hopes of three points safely into touch.
Wednesfield Social (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Wednesfield Social: Lunn, Icke, McKay, Thurstans, Perry, Jones, Rowley, Wilde, Page, O’Sullivan, Moore. Subs not used: Ramsbottom, Briers.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Bottomley, Guest, Denby, Haskins, Astley, Land, Acklam, Maddocks (Norton 55), Beresford, Adcock (Snaith 55).
Gresley man-of-the-match: Bob Aston.
Referee: B K Couldrey (Dudley).
Attendance: 140
