Long Eaton United vs Gresley Rovers
Strike one, strike two, strike three -Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Gresley's three-man strike force weighed in with a goal apiece as Rovers breezed into the Derbyshire Senior Cup semi finals at Grange Park on Saturday.
Disappointing Long Eaton never looked like threatening the holders' grip on the trophy and even Moat boss Frank Northwood admitted afterwards that he was surprised with the ease of his side's passage into the last four.
Said Northwood: "I thought the lads did enough to win. We were always in control of the game. We played well in patches. But I was disappointed that when we went 3-1 up we knew we'd won and just played keep ball. If they'd have got one back at that stage their heads would have gone up and we could have been in trouble."
That never looked a serious possibility, even after Gil Land, who otherwise played a major role in blotting out the home side as an attacking force for the majority of the game, handed United a gift equaliser 12 minutes from the interval.
Gresley had been in the driving seat from the 11th minute after Long Eaton had wasted two opportunities to clear a Steve Astley corner. Skipper Richard Denby curled the ball back across the box and Tracey Norton squared for Paul Acklam, playing in his home town, to easily score an unneighbourly opener from close range.
Denby's control and distribution was a prominent feature as Gresley wrested midfield control from their hosts and produced some fluent attacking play. Former Burton Albion keeper Dave Buxton tipped over the midfielder's 20-yard free kick, then Acklam released Norton to strike a low shot against a post.
Totally unexpectedly, United the drew level, Tim Kidsley intercepting Land's backpass and coolly shooting past Bob Aston.
Gresley's rhythm was unaffected, however, and Land atoned for his earlier error with a superb interception after full back Andy Parker had robbed Norton to release Kidsley again in a rare United break but moments later Gresley were once more ahead.
Defender Dean Hopper flattened Kieron Smith on the right and when Wayne Scally's free kick produced a furious melee in the penalty area Ray Skeemer's determination helped free the ball for Norton to convert from close range.
Substitute Neil Lovell replaced Scally after the break and was soon involved in Rovers' third goal, releasing Acklam who produced a superb cross from the left that Smith headed back into the top corner.
Gresley eased off the accelerator after that and Neil Wallace should have reduced the arrears after Gary Weston had skipped past Michael Guest on the right but the striker blasted wide of a gaping target.
Long Eaton United (1) 1
Gresley Rovers (2) 3
Scorers: Kidsley 33 (Long Eaton United), Acklam 11, Norton 43, Smith 60 (Gresley Rovers).
Long Eaton United: Buxton, Parker, H Elliott, Hopper, Meredith, Cowlishaw, S Elliott Gordon 82), Wallace, Burton (Trussler 69), Weston, Kidsley.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Bottomley (Guest 65), Perry, Denby, Land, Skeemer, Scally (Lovell 56), Norton, Acklam, Smith, Astley.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Ray Skeemer.
Referee: A J Clarke (Derbys).
Attendance: 220
