Stourport Swifts vs Gresley Rovers
One point away! – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley snatched a dramatic winner to go within one point of the Banks’s League championship after seeing a two goal lead snatched away at Walsh’s Meadow last night.
Rovers cruised to a comfortable advantage with 41 minutes gone only for Stourport to bounce back and threaten to further delay the Moatmen’s coronation.
But then Carl Rathbone stepped in to slip home a close range shot and spark a fearfully impressive last quarter in which Rovers barely gave their hosts a kick.
Relieved manager Frank Northwood claimed afterwards: “We let nerves creep in to our play – and I didn’t feel there was any need. We only need one game to clinch the title now and I shall be telling the lads ‘Let’s go and win it – we’ll get what we’re after now.”
Rovers had the title in their sights from the 18th minute when Paul Acklam poked the ball into the net after Kieron Smith’s effort had been blocked.
And Rovers’ lead seemed unassailable when Swift’s dithering defence was exposed by Smith’s lofted cross on 41 minutes and Neil Lovell fired home a low cross from 10 yards.
But things started to go wrong when Barry’s goal line clearance after Bob Aston had saved at full length from Nigel Laker’s shot hit winger Russell Parmenter and bounced back into the net.
Gresley continued to dominate after half time but Swifts always looked threatening in dead ball situations and sure enough when Dave Haycock knocked down Parmenter’s corner Andy Kingston fired home gleefully from eight yards.
Rovers needed to responded quickly and did just that when Lovell knocked Acklam’s cross back into the six yard box for Rathbone to clip home.
Stourport Swifts (1) 2
Gresley Rovers (2) 3
Scorers: Parmenter 45, Kingston 75 (Stourport Swifts), Acklam 18, Lovell 41, Rathbone 76 (Gresley Rovers).
Stourport Swifts: Kenning, Clifton (Lee 45), Kerby, Laker, Little, Kingston, Gray (Maffei 67), Brooks, Haycock, Mullen, Parmenter.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Barry, Dick, Denby, Land, Astley, Stokes (Weston 76), Smith, Acklam, Rathbone, Lovell. Sub not used: Beresford.
Gresley man-of-the-match: John Barry.
Referee: A J Sheffield (Burntwood).
Attendance: 120
