Gresley Rovers vs Knowsley United
Rovers routed - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers were missing too many key players to be anything like a match for an impressive Knowsley United at the Moat Ground on Saturday.
Rovers, plugging the gaps created by holidays and unavailability by testing a string of triallists and loaned players, were comprehensively brushed aside by a Merseyside outfit preparing for their first season in the HFS Loans Division One after finishing impressive winners of the North West Counties League last term.
Memories flooded back of the two sides' epic FA Vase encounter last season in which Gresley came back from 3-1 down to win 5-4, but there was never likely to be a repeat of such heroics on Saturday.
Knowsley were in command from the opening minute when Kenny Saunders escaped down the centre to round Bob Aston and fire a nonchalant effort against a post when a goal seemed certain.
Dave Siddell, scorer of a hat-trick when the sides last met, finally put his side ahead with a deft header after 53 minutes - by which time Knowsley had wasted a string of chances.
Carl Rathbone had a shot disallowed for offside then set up a chance that Steve Adcock headed just wide but Knowsley went further ahead when Steve Astley diverted John Doolon's corner into his own net.
Mick Taplin, on loan from Mickleover RBL, and Stuart Stokes brought good saves from Knowsley keeper Andy Johnson before Saunders gave the scoreline a realistic look by firing home from 20-yards.
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Knowsley (0) 3
Scorers: Siddell 53, Astley og 74, Saunders 82.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Page, Dick, Evans, Land, Astley, Weston, Stokes, Adcock, C Rathbone, Lovell. Subs all used: M Rathbone, Taplin, Moore, Anderson, Parkin, West.
Knowsley United: Johnson, O'Brian, Tyrrell, Ventre, Jackson, Humphries, Doolon, Barton, Siddell, Saunders, Drury. Subs: Williams, Billows.
Referee: G Stones (Walton).
Attendance: 286
