Gresley Rovers vs Eastwood Town
Leading lights! – Rex Page – Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers moved effortlessly towards the semi-finals of the Evans Halshaw floodlit competition at the Moat Ground last night.
Rovers might have doubled their tally with a dazzling display of approach work and finishing which they hope will provide the perfect tonic for the more important assignments that lie ahead in the scramble for the Banks’s League title.
Said Gresley coach Steve Dolby: “It was nice to see the lads relax and produce the football they are capable of. I hope it rubs off in the league.”
Rovers’ side had a slightly makeshift look about it and Eastwood also claimed to be under-strength, but the quality of football rarely suffered as a consequence.
Two huge punts from Bob Aston set Rovers firmly on course for victory befor the interval.
The first eluded a brittle Eastwood defence allowing Kieron Smith to swivel and drive in an eight-yard shot with only eight minutes gone.
The second provided Paul Acklam with a confidence-boosting goal in the 31st minute. Eastwood defender StClair Edwards misdirected his header to the Rovers front man, who clinically deposited a gilt-edged opportunity beneath Richard Wilson.
Although Aston brilliantly denied former Birmingham and Bolton winger Neil Whatmore, it was opposite number Wilson who was much the busier of the two keepers.
He had a let off when he fumbled Richard Denby’s shot into a corner of the net, the goal being controversially disallowed because of an offside decision, but earned considerable praise for saves which kept out Martin Dick’s 25-yarder and Acklam’s header.
But Eastwood could not contain Gresley for long. Acklam robbed the hapless Edwards to set up Neil Lovell for a delightful left foot shot into the roof of the net in the 55th minute and seven minutes later Acklam’s cross provided Smith with his second of the night, a far post header.
Former Burton Albion midfield maestro Doug Newton briefly raised Eastwood’s hopes. He rifled in a 20-yard shot in the 81st minute and two minutes later crossed for James Kaye to head Eastwood’s second.
But Gresley looked capable of scoring every time they attacked. Smith and Steve Astley wasted good chances in a hectic finish, but Graham Fearn’s close-range header re-established a margin which more accurately reflected Rovers’ superiority.
Gresley Rovers (2) 5
Eastwood Town (0) 2
Scorers: Smith 8, 62, Acklam 31, Lovell 55, Fearn 87 (Gresley Rovers); Newton, 81, Kaye 83 (Eastwood Town).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Adcock, Dick, Denby, Land, Astley, Fearn, Thompson, Acklam (Beresford 80), Smith (Mable 87), Lovell.
Eastwood Town: Wilson, Barnett, Frizzell, Wragg, Edwards, Newton, Whatmore, Miller, Kaye, Richardson, Hutchinson. Subs not used: Manners, Chamberlain.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Kieron Smith.
Referee: A Butler (Nottingham).
Attendance: 244
