Gresley Rovers vs Paget Rangers
It’s the Rovers late show – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Paul Acklam’s late, late equaliser kept Gresley in the FA Vase on Saturday but manager Frank Northwood fumed afterwards: “We should be kicking ourselves for not winning that game.”
Not for the first time this season, Gresley had had their opponents on the rack – only to allow them back into the game.
Tracey Norton, starting a game for the first time since Boxing Day, gave Gresley a great start when he powered his way past two challenges before leaving the ball in the back of the net – and keeper John Heath needing three minutes’ treatment for injury.
But defensive dithering allowed Patrick Williams – a Rovers transfer target earlier this season – an easy equaliser as Paget began to look the more dangerous side.
Indeed, they did the Lion’s share of the attacking in the first half, but it was Gresley who went ahead after Acklam’s shot was blocked and Andy Maddocks converted the rebound.
Acklam burst clear to hammer home a third on 69 minutes and all looked rosy for Gresley. But within a minute Aston was saving with his feet from Patrick Williams only for Steve Whipps to lash home the rebound – 3-2.
Five minutes later the scores were level – Wayne Skally firing the goal of the game from 25-yards.
And Gresley’s worst fears were realised when Whipps finally fired them ahead after 12 minutes of extra time after Aston had failed to hold a shot from Jason Darkes.
But with time slipping away Norton crossed from the left and Acklam lashed the equaliser through a crowded penalty area.
Gresley Rovers (2) 4
Paget Rangers (1) 4
After extra time
Scorers: Norton 13, Maddocks 42, Acklam 68, 116 (Gresley Rovers); P Williams 20, Whipps 69, 102, Skally 74 (Paget Rangers).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Guest, Adcock (Beresford 50), Denby, Land, Astley, Snaith (Mabel 90), Norton, Maddocks, Acklam, Hall.
Paget Rangers: Heath, G Williams, Darkes, Snowball, Taylor, Jones (Mulvey 119), Skalley, Whipps, Sandiford, Christopher, P Williams (Burrows 105).
Gresley man-of-the-match: Michael Guest.
Referee: F G Stretton (Leicester).
Attendance: 314
