Stapenhill vs Gresley Rovers
Moatmen head for third final – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers won a typically competitive but ultimately disappointing derby at Edge Hill on Saturday to earn their third consecutive Derbyshire Senior Cup Final appearance.
Goals from Derek Christopher and Kieron Smith delivered in the space of little over one first-half minute, settled the tie in Gresley’s favour but equally important factors in a result that brings the Banks’s League side into confrontation with either Matlock or Buxton in the final were Rovers’ defensive strengths and the Swans’ woeful inability to convert what chances came their way.
Not unsurprisingly, there was a difference of opinion between the two camps afterwards as to which side had created the more and the better chances, but there was no argument over the goals which left Gresley undisputed victors.
Christopher despatched the opener – his first goal for Gresley – in superb style after 24 minutes and barely had the cheers subsided before Smith added a second.
Stapenhill’s vital spark, reflected as ever in all-out endeavour and graft, was fatally dimmed and Gresley were allowed to play the remaining three quarters of the game in a style and pace that suited their poise and experience.
Stapenhill forced the early openings, Mark Culley picking up on Land’s slip but poking an awkwardly bouncing ball wide of an inviting target, then Dave Poole forced a diving save from Bob Aston after more industry from Culley. After that, though, the big striker’s accuracy critically deserted him, a shot from Tony Coppinger’s centre flying over and full back Martin Dick forcing away a header Martin Fox’s cross.
Within a minute Richard Denby was winning a vital midfield challenge to set up the opening goal and Stapenhill’s early initiative had gone. Land’s booming pass caught Stapenhill square and Christopher provided a sparkling finish, sprinting clear to despatch a low shot into the right corner of Bolton’s net.
Within a minute the ball was nestling in the same corner again, Neil Lovell’s cross was knocked down by full back John Bottomley and although Smith’s shot lacked pace Bolton was caught agonisingly wrong footed on his goal line and unable to prevent the ball trickling into the net.
Incredibly, Poole was then presented with a great opportunity to put Stapenhill back into the game when, with the Gresley defence dozing, he found himself clear 10 yards out but miskicked with time to pick his spot.
Christopher and Wayne Scally both went close to adding to Gresley’s lead before Poole produced another howler, again mishitting a close range effort after Aston had stretched to push a Dave Cooper 20-yarder into his path.
Stapenhill continued to bustle and bluster but were restricted to a series of long-range efforts from Chris Caulton which failed to trouble Aston, Gresley breaking forward to create greater threat through Smith’s darting pace and a Christopher chip that sailed just the wrong side of an upright.
With Phil Llewellyn replacing the hapless Poole the home fans were offered a thread of hope by the substitute striker’s cross shot that beat Aston but also the far post. Then a backpass fro Gresley substitute Dean Page offered Llewellyn another close range chance that Aston quickly smothered to snuff out any last home hopes of a revival.
Stapenhill (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (2) 2
Scorers: Christopher 24, Smith 26.
Stapenhill: Bolton, Osborne, Cooper (Thompson 73), Pearsall, King, Caulton, A Coppinger, Bird, Poole (Llewellyn 61), Culley, Fox.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Bottomley, Dick, Denby, Land, Astley, Scally (Page 73), Norton, Smith, Christopher, Lovell. Sub not used: Beresford.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Richard Denby.
Referee: G D Short (Ashbourne).
Attendance: 650
