Chasetown vs Gresley Rovers
Rovers on the rack – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Angry Moat boss Frank Northwood refused to give credit to the opposition after his side’s biggest defeat of the season.
The veteran chief insisted: “I thought they were a poor side. But our performance was very, very poor.”
After the demolition of Rocester a week earlier it was hard to believe that this was the same Gresley side being hauled painfully over the coals by Chasetown in the first half.
Despite Northwood’s opinion, Chasetown were clearly more fired up than Gresley at the start and successfully stifled attempts to play the neat, constructive football that reaped such dividends in the Rocester game.
They set a frantic pace that was too much for Rovers, who were penned back in their own half from the off. And after just 11 minutes a monumental mix-up between keeper Tony Moore and defender Frank Nuttall allowed Dave Yates to steal the ball from what should have been a routine back pass and set up Tony Dixon to fire into an empty net.
Then Stuart Evans’ suicidal square ball enabled Yates to rob John Barry and as Gresley’s defence looked his second from 16 yards.
Chasetown’s terrible twosome struck again when Dixon was allowed a free run from deep, Yates slipping home the rebound after his shot came back off the woodwork.
Gresley looked more the part after the break but against the West Midlands League’s tightest defence there was a slim chance of a revival.
Richard Wardle kindled hopes of a comeback with an incisive run and shot that enabled Brian Beresford to fire home from close range, but no amount of hammering could persuade Chasetown to open up again at the back, although referee Brandwood must have had his eyes closed when Simon Hayden clearly handled in the penalty area under pressure from Beresford.
Rovers, with the prodigal Steve Astley on as substitute, continued to push forward and were punished to complete his hat trick two minutes from time.
Chasetown (3) 4
Gresley Rovers (0) 1
Scorers: Dixon 11, 23, 88, Yates (Chasetown); Beresford 54 (Gresley Rovers).
Chasetown: Withington, Jones, Hill, Shelton, Richards, Rose, Hyden, Ansell, B Smith, Yates (Tipper 82), Dixon. Sub not used: Cox.
Gresley Rovers: Moore, Barry, Nuttall (Astley 29), Denby, Evans, Minton, Wardle, Smith, Acklam, Beresford, Venning (King 66).
Gresley man-of-the-match: Richard Wardle.
Referee: M J Brandwood (Lichfield).
Attendance: 200
