Gresley Rovers vs Stourport Swifts
Rovers ahead double quick – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Two goals in as many minutes saw Gresley through to the Banks’s League Cup semi-finals on Saturday.
Rovers did just enough to despatch a game Stourport side after producing what coach Steve Dolby described as “our best form for weeks” – but only in the opening quarter of the game.
After 17 minutes Gresley were two goals ahead and looking likely to produce at least a repeat of the four-goal mauling they gave Swifts back in January.
But Stourport hit back to reduce the arrears and – despite the home side’s domination – keep the outcome in doubt till the final whistle.
From the opening minute, when Steve Astley’s spectacular volley was tipped over by keeper Ian Scarr, Stourport were pinned onto the defensive although John Maffei showed how dangerous they could be on the break with a run down the middle that forced Bob Aston to race from his box – and then back again to dive at the striker’s feet.
Neil Lovell was the architect of the opening goal, volleying Jon Barry’s shot with some power that Scarr could only parry the ball and when Stuart Stokes’ shot from the rebound came back off the bar Keiron Smith tidied up with typical efficiency.
Then Lovell’s second attempt to convert a Barry cross proved even more devastating, the ball ripping into the corner of the net with Scarr beaten all ends up.
Within six minutes, though, Maffei had got the better of Steve Astley on another break and beat Aston with a low shot from 18 yards.
Carl Rathbone put Craig Weston cross inches wide but Stourport came closest to adding to the score when the burly Chris Lambert headed against the bar.
By comparison to the first, the second half was a non-event although Gresley should have added further goals with Smith and Stokes missing good chances and Stokes stinging the keeper’s hand with a blockbusting free kick from 20 yards.
Gresley Rovers (2) 2
Stourport Swifts (1) 1
Scorers: Smith 15, Lovell 17 (Gresley Rovers); Maffei (Stourport Swifts).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Barry, Elliott, Stokes, Land, Astley, Weston (Adcock 79), Smith, Acklam, Rathbone, Lovell. Sub not used: Gamble.
Stourport Swifts: Scarr, Clifton, Kerby, Little, Laker, Parmenter, Lowell, Maffei, Lambert, Brooks, Dale (Kingston 82). Sub not used: Mullen.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Neil Lovell.
Referee: M J Brandwood (Lichfield).
Attendance: 344
