Gresley Rovers vs West Bromwich Town
Adcock has final say – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Steve Adcock has not had a great deal of opportunity to make his mark on Gresley Rovers’ latest Banks’s League crusade. But last night the impish winger popped up like a surprise jack-in-the-box to climax a thrilling victory at the Moat Ground.
Four minutes of injury time had been played when Adcock – the smallest player on the field – rose to nod Paul Acklam’s deflected shot just inside a post and delight the crowd.
And while Adcock took the hero’s laurels, it was keeper Bob Aston who played the biggest part in taking Rovers back to the top of the table on goal difference.
Aston made two blinding saves in the first half to deny rampant West Brom, then provided a mighty boot to set up his side’s last gasp winner.
He explained: “It was the first time in the whole game I’d sent a kick down properly. Paul Acklam knocked it across, it came off a defender and Addy knocked it in.”
To be fair, Gresley did not have the best of starts when Stuart Stokes limped off after 12 minutes to join midfield partner Richard Denby on the sidelines, thus depriving Rovers of their engine room and forcing a hasty reshuffle.
Just as Gresley were beginning to put together their best spell of the match so far Town took the lead. Cullum hit a deep right wing cross, Cossnett climbed above Andy Moore to head down at the far post and Clive East provided a close range finish.
Then, on the stroke of half time, Aston had to produce a magnificent save to deny Steve Scott, who seemed he could do nothing but score when Kevin Pedley’s cross from the right picked him out unmarked in front of goal.
Gradually, though, Gresley coming to terms with their task were rewarded on 57 minutes. John Barry crossed well from the right, debutant Ian Heap climbed well for the knock down and substitute Neil Lovell belted home a close range shot via the crossbar.
Play switched from end to end as West Brom sought to regain their advantage and Gresley pressed for a clincher. And it was the home side who proved the stronger in the final stages.
Gresley Rovers (0) 2
West Bromwich Town (1) 1
Scorers: Lovell 57, Adcock 94 (Gresley Rovers); East 35 (West Bromwich Town).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Barry, Dick, Stokes (Lovell 12), Land, Astley, Moore, Smith, Acklam, Heap (Adcock 67), Elliott.
West Bromwich Town: Williams, Pedley, Owens, Johnson, Hollingsworth, S Scott, Fox, East, Cossnett, Cullum, B Scott. Subs: Abbey, Atterbury.
Gresley man-of-the-man: Bob Aston.
Referee: J A Sheffield (Chasetown).
Attendance: 467
