Gresley Rovers vs Blakenall
Rovers burn the Vase candle at both ends – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Lion-hearted Gresley displayed all the character, resilience and guile of last season’s historic Vase run at the Moat Ground on Saturday to take them a tentative first step along the road to this season’s final.
The pundits had predicted a thorough examination from West Midlands title rivals Blakenall and that was just what battling Rovers experienced in a firecracker of a tie.
Blakenall were rough, tough and determined but in the end Rovers’ victory was utterly deserved.
And it was due just as much to an excellent defensive performance as it was to the cunning and craft of marksman Brian Beresford, who delivered the decisive goal after 71 minutes.
While Beresford was deservedly taking the praise at one end of the field, equal credit at least was due at the other to keeper Bob Aston.
In a predictably tight first half it was to Blakenall that the clear-cut chances fell – but Aston saved the day.
A goal looked on when the marauding Simon Peach burst clear in the 22nd minute to fire a meaty right foot effort low to Aston’s left. But the keeper responded superbly, diving full length to palm the ball to safety.
And within minutes of what proved to be the winning goal Aston scaled sublime heights with an unbelievable double stop, dropping to his right to somehow keep out John Lees’ point blank header then recovering to block as Andy Keeling set about the seemingly routine task of poking home the rebound. In one magnificent moment the game was Gresley’s.
It was a keeper’s day though. At the other end Steve Pomroy, eccentric and belligerent, denied what would have been an emphatic win for the home side.
Pomroy foiled Carl Rathbone, clean through, with flailing legs at the start of the second half, dived to fist away a Gil Land thunderbolt then somehow kept out Richard Wardle’s point blank drive.
When a goal is vital, though, Beresford is the man to deliver it.
The veteran poacher, ranging into space on the edge of the Blakenall box, showed masterful control to bring down a ball coming at shoulder height and darted into the danger zone. When Keeling’s tackle came in Beresford hit the deck, and Blakenall were still disputing referee Scholfield’s decision as the ball smacked against the back of the net from the penalty spot.
A game that frequently simmered finally reached boiling point in the final five minutes. Rathbone was hauled down by Darren Wilkinson and boots flew in the scramble that ensued. Both players were dismissed, Wilkinson for violent conduct, Rathbone for retaliation. It was an unfortunate end to a superb game.
Gresley Rovers (0) 1
Blakenall (0) 0
Scorer: Beresford 71 (pen).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Barry, Nuttall, Land, Evans, Minton, Wardle, Rathbone, Acklam, Beresford (Smith 86), Lovell. Sub not used: Weston.
Blakenall: Pomroy, Deakin, Wilkinson, Keeling, Davies, Tudor, Sparrock (Millington 53), Priest, Peach, Lees, Walters. Sub not used: Liggins.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Bob Aston.
Referee: M J Scholfield (Sleaford).
Attendance: 589
