Oldswinford vs Gresley Rovers
Rovers have the last laugh – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Oldswinford secretary David Drew promised his side would drub Gresley before Saturday’s game – then stingily refused me admission to the feast unless I paid for the pleasure.
So when Gresley turned the unfriendly Mr Drew’s prediction right on its head in a scintillating final 25 minutes, manager Frank Northwood’s was not the only post-match smile of satisfaction!
The only cloud over Northwood’s contentment was that it had taken a half time rollicking – and a canny double substitution – to get his table topping troops to look like championship contenders.
The introduction of Neil Lovell at last gave a shapeless midfield some width and Andy Maddocks’ effect on the previously solid home defence was like a can opener unto a tin of pilchards.
Oldswinford’s previously unrelenting grip on an 11th minute lead – given them from close range by Ruud Gullit look-alike Gary Piggott after Gresley had failed to win a series of aerial challenges in the penalty box – was suddenly and decisively torn away.
Maddocks controlled a half clearance and teed up Trace Norton to blast home from the edge of the box and suddenly the game had only one outcome.
Ten minutes later the beanpole striker was put clear on the left by Richard Denby’s pinpoint crossfield ball and the right foot finish from 15 yards was precise and deadly.
A superb save from Bob Aston denied Piggott an unlikely equaliser as Gresley’s attacking instincts got the better of them but within seconds it was 3-1, Paul Acklam crossing from the right and Norton picking up the pieces from close range after keeper John Holmes had found Maddocks’ shot too hot to handle.
‘Swinsford turned on the roughhouse tactics to keep their rampant visitors at bay, revealing a remarkably tolerant side to referee Walsh’s nature, but they could not stem the flow of goals. Acklam surged between two defenders into the box, went down, and although Holmes saved Norton’s spot kick superbly he could not prevent the big striker from gobbling up the left-overs yet again.
The powerful Piggott at least had the last say, volleying home spectacularly off a post after full back Morgan Brooks had crossed from the left, but it was no consolation for the home side and no crumb of comfort for the abrasive Mr Drew.
Said Northwood afterwards: “He said he’d been waiting five years to give Gresley a hammering. Well, it looks like he’ll have to wait another five.”
And I, for one, hope it’s a lot, lot longer than that.
Oldswinford (1) 2
Gresley Rovers (0) 4
Scorers: Pigott 11, 93 (Oldswinford); Norton 66, 80, 87, Maddocks 76 (Gresley Rovers).
Oldswinford: Holmes, Brooks, Powell, Bullingham, Weston (Roache 74), Marsh, Yates, Piggott, James, Grisdale, Brassington (Millinchip 66).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Bottomley, Dick (Lovell 52), Denby, Land, Skeemer (Maddocks 57), Guest, Norton, Acklam, Smith, Astley.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Tracey Norton.
Referee: E Walsh (Rubery).
Attendance: 90
