Westfields vs Gresley Rovers
Rovers' worst start - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Back four blunders of the sort not normally associated with defending league champions sent hot and bothered Gresley spinning to their second consecutive defeat at Westfields on Saturday.
Rovers lost a game they dominated throughout without ever really controlling in the space of 21 suicidal first half minutes.
First, Scott Elliott played a long range backpass straight to the Hereford side's livewire centre forward, Brian Preece. In acres of space on the right, Preece set up Alex Sykes to sidefoot home from the near post.
Gresley responded with furious pressure, Neil Lovell seeing a cross headed off the line and Richard Denby a 22-yard free kick touched onto the crossbar by keeper Jarrod Clay.
But they then paid the price for all-out attack when sweeper Steve Astley, attempting to punt the ball forward from the half way line, instead hit it against the onrushing Preece who, sensing that this was his lucky day, sprinted clear to tuck a low shot past Aston.
Gresley were thrown a lifeline when Clay felled Beresford as he raced into the penalty area and the veteran striker, replacing the injured Paul Acklam, comprehensively converted the spot kick.
Rovers had their chances to level in the second half but they were few and far between and when Beresford put a free header straight into Clay's ample midriff Rovers were facing their worst start to a league campaign since Frank Northwood became manager eight seasons ago.
Westfields (2) 2
Gresley Rovers (1) 1
Scorers: Sykes 5, Preece 26 (Westfields), Beresford 39 (pen) (Gresley Rovers).
Westfields: Clay, Rock, Davies, Rivett, Stevens, Leigh, Higgins (Emery 73), D Preece, B Preece, Taylor, Sykes. Sub not used: Griffin.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Barry, Elliott, Denby, Land (Evans 73), Astley, Weston, Smith (Adcock 68), Beresford, Rathbone, Lovell.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Craig Weston.
Referee: P J Clarke (Kingswinford).
Attendance: 60
