Gresley Rovers vs Chasetown
Rovers stalled in cup - Simon Archer - Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers came within three minutes of breaking Chasetown's grip on the West Midlands League Cup at the Moat Ground last night.
Rovers' in-form striker Paul Acklam seemed to have given the Moatmen just enough to clinch victory in their first round replay with his 11th minute goal of the season.
But an 87th minute header by towering Chasetown central defender Simon Hyden sent the game into an inconclusive spell of extra time, leaving the teams to fight again at Gresley.
Dependable Brian Beresford again came off the bench to try and swing the tie for Rovers, but his substitute's golden boot lost none of its lustre as he was denied twice in extra time by Chasetown keeper Andy Withington.
Acklam made the breakthrough for Gresley after 28 minutes, arriving in time to add the final touch to Rathbone's low cross which eluded several pairs of legs including those luckless defender Dave Sheldon.
Chasetown began to threaten the equaliser after the restart as Gresley gave up some slack but after 63 minutes Rathbone found himself with a chance from six yards.
Craig Weston's cross from the right wing found Rathbone but the striker could not find enough control to cash in on the opening.
Weston forced another save from Withington with a 20-yard effort outside the right hand corner of the area on 70 minutes and six minutes later Yates returned the compliment but his shot sailed over.
And Weston was in the thick of the action again on 80 minutes, crossing for Acklam to head for the inside of the post and draw a fine left-handed reflex save from Withington.
Three minutes from time John Rose's corner swung across and was firmly nodded home by Hayden to keep the holders alive.
Fears mounted for Gresley as injury plagued defender Martin Dick had to be stretchered off within a minute of the extra period after a tangle on the fringes of the Rovers' box, but it proved to be nothing more severe than a twisted ankle.
The Moatmen could count themselves lucky to escape as Dave Langston linked up with Cox and drove a rising shot from the left of the area onto the underside of Aston's crossbar three minutes from the end of the encounter.
Gresley Rovers (1) 1
Chasetown (0) 1
After extra time.
Scorers: Acklam 28 (Gresley Rovers); Hyden 87 (Chasetown).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Barry, Dick (Lovell 91), Denby, Land, Page, Weston, Smith, Acklam, Rathbone (Beresford 80), Venning.
Chasetown: Withington, Cox, Jones, Shelton, Hyden, Rose, Ansell, Langston, Smith, Yates, Dixon. Subs not used: Leake, Hill.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Carl Rathbone.
Referee: G Banwell (Stafford).
Attendance: 513
