Gresley Rovers vs Glossop
Gresley’s gloss shines through – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley breezed into the semi-finals of the Derbyshire Senior Cup with far more ease than the final scoreline suggests.
They dominated a poor Glossop side – dubbed “the worst team we’ve played all season” by manager Frank Northwood – but again found putting the ball into the net a stumbling block to supremacy.
Such was Rovers’ dominance, however, that victory was almost inevitable, although the Gresley applecart didn’t reach market without being rocked on the way, the first bump coming as early as the 51st second when Glossop’s rangy midfielder Gary Bannigan fired in a bouncing 25-yard effort that beat Simon Harrison at the foot of the post.
Gresley’s response was to increasingly dominate the game, Richard Denby dipping a corking shot just off target and Paul Acklam extracting two superb saves out of Steve Lyons.
The second, after a superb piece of skill by Neil Lovell, led to Rovers’ 44th-minute equaliser, Stuart Evans, who had earlier had a header ruled out for pushing, this time applying his impressive forehead to Brian Beresford’s corner with more rewarding effect.
Despite a howling wind against them after the break Rovers continued to run the show and should have had a penalty when Richard Wardle was pulled back, referee Morrison choosing to overrule his lineswoman’s flag.
Justice was done when Pete Johnson tripped Kieron Smith and the deadly Beresford clipped the ball home via Lyons’ gloves.
Six minutes later Gil Land buried a 25-yard free kick but instead of opening the floodgates the goal prompted a revival by Glossop and Harrison twice saved excellently before being beaten by Gary Davenport’s deflected shot three minutes from time.
Gresley Rovers (1) 3
Glossop (1) 2
Scorers: Evans 44, Beresford 65 (pen), Land 71 (Gresley Rovers); Bannigan 1, Davenport 87 (Glossop).
Gresley Rovers: Harrison, Barry, Dick, Denby, Evans, Land, Wardle, Smith, Acklam, Beresford (King 77), Lovell (Weston 72).
Glossop: Lyons, McCombe, Sunderland, Trucca (Heaton 85), Saunders, Jamieson, Williams (Gregory 74), O’Brien, Davenport, Bannigan, Ingham.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Stuart Evans.
Referee: D Morrison (Derby).
Attendance: 415
