Malvern Town vs Gresley Rovers
Rovers in need of the break - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
The contrast between Gresley's first and second half performances at Malvern on Saturday summed up enigmatic Rovers' hit and miss start to the West Midlands League season.
Frank Northwood's men gave their boss - newly crowned as Midlands non-league Manager of the Year - little to celebrate before the break.
But a toothless showing certainly gave Northwood plenty to shout about - and an interval ear-bending did the trick.
Said Northwood: "I had to stir them up again at half time before they did the business. But it's hard at places like this where you have to make your own atmosphere. It's always difficult to play sides who are nowhere near your class because they try to drag you down to their level. But we stuck to our task."
Evergreen Brian Beresford led the way when he got onto the end of a fine move involving full backs Martin Dick and John Barry to convert from close range.
That was just reward for the two defenders, both of whom had had uncomfortable first halves. Barry struggled to find his usual assurance while Dick looked in danger of being exposed by the deceptive pace of Town striker Matt Coppin, the reedy front runner providing the home side's only real threat.
Malvern keeper Dave Gray, on the other hand had his weaknesses exposed at every opportunity and he was rooted to the spot as first Paul Acklam, released through the centre by Denby's slide-rule through ball, and then the Rovers skipper himself, from a free kick 20-yards out, made the game safe with a brace of superb shots.
There could have been further Gresley goals even though Town skipper Brian Mogford fired against the woodwork for the home side after more of Coppin's trickery.
Just to prove that it was not his team's day substitute Kieron Smith, earlier denied a clear penalty after being hauled down by Neil Merrick in the box, made amends by firing home at the far post from Craig Weston's cross.
Malvern Town (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (0) 4
Scorers: Beresford 49, Acklam 56, Denby 73, Smith 90.
Malvern Town: Gray, Merrick, Lowe (Kavanagh 65), Mogford, Hodges (Ibraham 33), Barnes, Rivers, Slade, Coppin, Moverly, Yardley.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Barry (Wardle 56), Dick, Denby, Land, Evans, Weston, Beresford (Smith 83), Acklam, Rathbone, Nuttall.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Richard Denby.
Referee: J H Holbrook (Ludlow).
Attendance: 130
