Gresley Rovers vs Stourport Swifts
Swifts put to the sword - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Stourport Swifts became the latest side to be put to the sword as in-form Gresley's bandwagon rolled again at the Moat Ground least night.
Efficient, effective and, at times, effervescent, Rovers produced goals of the highest quality to destroy the Worcestershire side's determined and well-organised challenge.
Gresley were forced to work hard for what they got - and that wasn't much for the first 42 minutes as Stourport reduced the home side to just two wayward strikes at goal while showing themselves to be capable of causing the odd flutter of alarm on the break.
Carl Rathbone's superb crossfield ball almost led to a sixth minute opener but Neil Lovell's left wing cross was sent flying just wide by Kieron Smith. It was more than 30 minutes before Gresley had another shot, Paul Acklam's spectacular volley from Craig Weston's cross crashing into the advertising hoardings behind the Stourport goal.
Midfielder Billy Rice had sent Tony Moore scrambling anxiously along his line with a 25-yard effort only just off target and Swifts had every reason to look forward to a half time cuppa well earned before Steve Astley brought their aspirations crashing with a superb strike three minutes from the break.
Smith did the spadework with a crossfield run before laying the ball back to Astley to crash home unstoppably from the best part of 30 yards.
It was a goal of breathtaking quality but skipper Richard Denby matched it for style five minutes after the restart, netting with a superb, measured chip from the edge of the box after keeper Ian Scarr had punched out a John Barry cross.
Gresley now dominated the game with Stourport rarely able to break out of defence yet on 76 minutes their deficit was unexpectedly halved, winger Russell Parmenter surprising everyone with a cross shot from the left that took a deflection before finding the far side of the net.
Smith restored Gresley's two-goal advantage with his 19th goal of the season four minutes later, netting from close range after Gil Land headed on a Weston got onto the scoresheet with a neat backheader from terrific left wing cross by Scott Elliott.
It was a performance that delighted Moat chief Frank Northwood who said: "I'm very happy with that - it was a good all-round performance and the fans got their money's worth again."
Gresley Rovers (1) 4
Stourport Swifts (0) 1
Scorers: Astley 24, Denby 50, Smith 80, Weston 88 (Gresley Rovers), Parmenter 76 (Stourport Swifts).
Gresley Rovers: Moore, Barry, Elliott, Denby, Land, Astley, Weston, Smith, Acklam (Christopher 45), Rathbone, Lovell. Sub not used: Stokes.
Stourport Swifts: Scarr, Clifton, Kerby, Laker, Little, Kingston, Rice, Dale, Maffie, Lowell (Bowen 62), Parmenter. Sub not used: Brooks.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Steve Astley.
Referee: A J Sheffield (Chasetown).
Attendance: 317
