Rocester vs Gresley Rovers
High drama as Romans roar back – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Three goals in seven minutes transformed a sensational title derby at the Rivers Field on Saturday.
Gresley, having survived a first half penalty and built a seemingly invincible lead, suddenly collapsed as Rocester staged a stunning comeback.
The talk afterwards centred round the relative value of a point to each side in the title race. But the game will be remembered for far longer as a cavalier clash of incident, drama and goals.
Rocester seemed inhibited in the opening stages and Gresley were first to show, Kieron Smith robbing Alan Dodd and setting up Steve Astley, switched to midfield in one of several changes executed by Rovers boss Frank Northwood, to fire over from the edge of the box.
Savvy Anastasi, throughout the game’s most potent and exciting attacker, then lobbed just off target but generally the game was flowing in the other direction.
Gresley went ahead after first Denby, then Lovell, then Trace Norton all rode fierce challenges before Denby sent a swirling, curling shot over the head of the transfixed Phil Butler from 30 yards.
The goal prompted a predictable reaction from Rocester, Anastasi almost setting up Collins for an equaliser with a drive cross from the right then earning the penalty that should have brought the scores level.
His twisting, turning run in the box forced Steve Adcock to hold him back in desperation and in full view of referee Penn. Kevin Barry, with only one penalty miss in four years, hit his spot kick towards the bottom right corner but Bob Aston dived superbly to turn the ball away.
Six minutes after the break it was pure joy for Gresley. Brian Beresford, celebrating a surprise recall with an excellent performance, curled in a perfect centre from the right and Smith stretched to score with an emphatic header.
Again Rocester came back but again Gresley broke out to score an astonishing third goal, Beresford hitting another wicked cross, this time from the left, that curled past Butler and in at the far post.
Rocester desperately needed a quick goal to stand any chance of recovery and, incredibly, it was delivered within two minutes. Adcock failed to make a simple clearance in the penalty area and Anastasi crossed from the right of the box to where Collins beat both Land and Aston to score a simple header.
Three minutes later, more mayhem in the Gresley box. Aston appeared to be impeded as he chased from his line after a Mark Adcock right wing cross but in any case he failed to gather the ball and when Dodd returned it goalward with a delicate chip Dean Page handled on the line. This time Barry made no mistake from the spot and Rovers were in terrible trouble.
As Tony Greig might say, Rocester were on fire. An equaliser was inevitable but when it came it was a magnificent goal. Anastasi, crucially involved again, laid the ball into Nigel Mottram’s path and the flying winger raced into the Gresley box before crashing a sizzling shot past Aston.
An incredible victory was within Rocester’s grasp and could have been achieved if Hemmings had shown more composure when Paul Fernihough’s header made space on the right of the box.
To Gresley’s credit, though, they rode the storm and Norton and Astley also had chances for a late decider.
Rocester (0) 3
Gresley Rovers (1) 3
Scorers: Collins 63, Barry 66 (pen), Mottram 70 (Rocester); Denby 20, Smith 53, Beresford 61 (Gresley Rovers).
Rocester: Butler, Ede, Alcock, Owen, Dodd, Barry, Mottram, Fernihough (Chapman 90), Collins, Anastasi, Hemmings. Sub not used: Burgin.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Adcock, Dick, Denby, Land, Astley, Page, Norton, Smith, Beresford, Lovell (Bottomley 85). Sub not used: Christopher.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Richard Denby.
Referee: M J Penn (Kingswinford).
Attendance: 604
