Gresley Rovers vs Harrisons STS
Rovers still on course - Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers overcame another spell of indifferent form to reinforce their challenge for the Banks's League title at the Moat Ground last night.
Despite being bolstered by a brilliant Wayne Scally goal after 20 minutes, Rovers typically made life difficult for themselves against one of the league's lesser lights.
Chances to extend the lead were squandered before the interval and Rovers were forced to endure some heart-stopping moments until Paul Acklam's glancing header put the issue beyond doubt in the 72nd minute.
A bumpy pitch and stiff breeze prevented Gresley from settling smoothly into their stride, but they still managed to conjure up a quality goal when Richard Denby's deft touch teed up Scalley for a superbly-struck 22 yarder that positively flew into the corner of the net.
Kieron Smith wasted Gresley's best chance to increase their lead when he fired over with only the keeper to beat after Bob Aston's huge punt had evaded a back peddling Harrisons defence.
Harrisons could have stolen an equaliser in the 70th minute when Aston misjudged Frank McLeod's fee kick, allowing Warren Waterfield to get a looping header which Steve Astley hooked off the line.
But Acklam calmed growing anxieties on the terraces by rising to meet Denby's cross and steer a header inside the far post.
Although Aston almost muffed a shot from Andy Jones, Gresley's extra class could have taken them to victory by a substantial margin in the closing stages.
Smith got on the end of another Denby cross but the ball redounded off the bar and Astley also shook the woodwork with a thunderbolt of a free kick.
Gresley Rovers (1) 2
Harrisons STS (0) 0
Scorers: Scally 20, Acklam 72
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Bottomley, Dick, Denby, Land, Astley, Scally, Smith, Acklam, Christopher, Lovell. Subs not used: Page, Hall.
Harrisons STS: Davies, McLeod, Hill, Meeson, Waterfield, Oakley (Kelly 87), Secker (Hall 55), Raybould, Jones, Malcolm, Bottomer.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Richard Denby.
Referee: M D Edwards (Stoke).
Attendance: 323
