Chasetown vs Gresley Rovers
Frank blasts the spoilers – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley boss Frank Northwood pointed the finger straight at hosts Chasetown after a muddy Banks’s League Cup bore draw at the Scholars Ground on Saturday.
“We’ve got a draw – but at least we came to win. I got the impression they didn’t want to win,” he said afterwards. “They kept a lot of players behind the ball and while the conditions weren’t good they suited them more than us.
“But we’re still in the cup and I’m happy to be taking them back to the Moat Ground.”
In the opening stages holders Chasetown did threaten to build an advantage to take into the second leg of the semi-final in three weeks’ time.
Darren Ansell’s shot was well held under the crossbar by Bob Aston after a string of defenders had failed to clear their lines then, after Ansell’s right wing corner, the keeper did well again to thwart danger man Charlie Blakemore.
After Blakemore had seen another effort blocked at the foot of the post Gresley stamped their authority on midfield without creating anything in the way of goalscoring opportunities until well into the second half, by which time driving rain and mud – along with the illogical refereeing of Mr Carrington – had reduced the proceedings to a lottery.
Steve Adcock just failed to connect with a Kieron Smith cross, Stuart Stokes saw two meaty efforts blocked and Adcock put a John Barry cross wide as Gresley appeared better suited to the worsening conditions.
Chasetown were not quite a spent force and Steve Astley had to make a last ditch interception after Tony Dixon has weaved his way through into the penalty area.
Chasetown (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Chasetown: Withington, Cox, Jones, Shelton, Richards, Rose, Hyden, Ansell, Harrison, Blakemore (Ward 76), Dixon (Knowles 88).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Barry, Elliott, Denby, Land, Astley, Stokes (Weston 64), Smith, Acklam, Adcock (Moore 70), Lovell.
Gresley man-of-the-match: John Barry.
Referee: M Carrington (Loughborough).
Attendance: 189
