Malvern Town vs Gresley Rovers
Calamity! – Dave Hackett – Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers frittered away a 3-1 lead in a disastrous seven-minute spell on one of their bogey grounds at Malvern.
While a couple of late defensive blunders might have been responsible for the Moatmen gaining only one point instead of three they merely highlighted their miserable form since mid-March.
Gresley were forced to chase the game as early as the fifth minute. Rob O’Neil who could hardly contain his joy when his intended cross deceived Bob Aston before entering the net at the far post.
The Moatmen finally profited from their ninth corner in the 23rd minute. Beresford’s left wing flag kick was helped down by Trace Norton who lashed the ball into the roof of the net.
In the 36th minute Aston saved at the feet of Shaun Cotterill but, as the ball broke loose, fortune favoured Rovers and Graham Jones shot against the post.
Two goals in the space of three minutes finally looked to have forced the overworked Town defence into submission.
Brian Beresford again produced the goods, turning onto Norton’s pass and with the scent for goals rekindled, Acklam started and finished a move which ought to have guaranteed victory.
But from looking a well beaten side Malvern’s hopes of gaining something from the game gained momentum when Martin Dick failed to clear leaving O’Neil to bury a left footed shot into the far corner.
With little more than a minute remaining Gil Land failed to make a routine clearance and Graham Jones’ well placed header did the rest.
Malvern Town (1) 3
Gresley Rovers (1) 3
Scorers: O’Neil 5, 83, Jones 89 (Malvern Town); Norton 23, Beresford, Acklam 58 (Gresley Rovers).
Malvern Town: Gray, Russell, Kerby, Costello (Sheppard 65), Burton, O’Neil (Rutter 89), Cooper, Cotterill, Jones, Moverly, Bullock.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Barry, Dick, Denby, Land, Astley, Bottomley (Christopher 77), Norton, Acklam, Beresford, Lovell (Adcock 88).
Gresley man-of-the-match: Richard Denby.
Referee: W T Ellis (Wednesfield).
Attendance: 180
