Leicester United vs Gresley Rovers
Good Evans, Rovers – Niall Hickman – Burton Mail
Gresley produced an accomplished performance last night to win their first Evans Halshaw Floodlit cup-tie of the season at a slippery and windswept United Park.
Conditions were difficult, but the Moatmen deserved their victory with a gutsy display which proved more than a match for injury-depleted Leicester United.
A real plus to Gresley was the return to form of centre back Gil Land, who was first to every duel and generally kept United’s capable number nine, Mark Hallam, under wraps.
Rovers took the lead against the run of play after 10 minutes when captain Richard Denby’s 30 yard swerving free-kick slipped under the United keeper’s body.
Spurred on by their fortuitous start, Gresley dominated the rest of the half, with Beresford scoring a disallowed goal for offside and Dave Wood, replacing flu victim Paul Acklam, missing from six yards out.
In between, Bob Aston produced the save of the night to palm Downes’ rasping drive onto the post.
United pulled back when danger man Hallam hit a fierce low cross after 33 minutes which Scott Elliott could only divert into his own net.
Seven minutes later though, Smith scored the first of his two headers following a top-quality run and cross by Wood.
A minute after half time Gresley extended their lead with Smith again heading home an easy chance. This time Neil Lovell, who teased and tricked the United defence all night, was the provider with a pin-point left wing cross.
Rovers were guilty of some slack marking only four minutes later when a loose ball from midfield fell at the feet of Licquorish who raced through a gaping hole in the central defence and easily slotted home.
The last 40 minutes were a testing time for Gresley, but they generally kept United at bay and Frank Northwood was confident enough to bring on debut boys Adrian Sharp and Dave Sherry, both of whom conducted themselves satisfactorily.
Just as the game looked over, Rovers had Bob Aston to thank for the points following his magnificent save two minutes from time when he parried away a goal-bound 12 yard shot from Bond.
Leicester United (1) 2
Gresley Rovers (2) 3
Scorers: Elliott (og) 33, Licquorish 50 (Leicester United), Denby 10, Smith 40, 46 (Gresley Rovers).
Leicester United: Marsden, Potter, Warner, Wilson, Randell, Downes, Howarth (Heggs 80), Licquorish, Hallam, Bond, Conway (Pick 75).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Barry, Elliott (Sharp 45), Denby, Land, Astley, Weston, Smith, Wood, Beresford (Sherry 60), Lovell.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Gil Land.
Referee: F Stretton (Leicester).
Attendance: 132
