Blakenall vs Gresley Rovers
Wardle’s way to go – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Richard Wardle chose the perfect moment to score his first goal for Gresley on Saturday – it won the West Midlands League title.
The young midfielder’s superb second half strike wrapped up an excellent victory for Rovers on the ground of one of their closest rivals, finally putting paid to the threat of a revival by Blakenall.
The Bloxwich-based side had set out to physically snuff out Gresley’s technique but Rovers responded by drawing their own steel.
They matched Blakenall challenge for challenge, dominating a first half in which the wind and a not inconsiderable slope were both in their favour and taking the lead after just 16 minutes.
Then, with the home side pressing for an equaliser after the interval, Rovers finished the game – and the race for the title – with a classic counter strike.
The opening goal was a delight not only for Gresley’s travelling army of fans but for striker Paul Acklam, who had scored just twice since the start of the year.
With Blakenall pressing forward for a corner, Rovers broke the length of the field through Keiron Smith, Craig Weston and Wardle before Jason Minton laid the ball back for Acklam to fire past an unprotected Steve Pomroy from eight yards.
The home side, believeing Acklam was offside, protested in numbers, bringing bookings for Pomroy and full back Peter Deakin.
But it may have sown a seed of doubt in the referee Walsh’s mind because three minutes later he disallowed what looked like a perfectly good effort after Acklam smashed home Wardle’s cross from outside the box.
The decision made little difference to Rovers’ momentum and the interval came with Blakenall relieved to have conceded just the once.
They began the second half intent on an equaliser and former Moatman Andy Moore might have provided it had his shot gone anywhere other than straight at Simon Harrison.
But Blakenall’s resolve was finally broken when Weston used his pace to get round Frank McLeod on the right before pulling the ball back for Wardle to fire into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box.
Blakenall (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (1) 2
Scorers: Acklam 16, Wardle 62.
Blakenall: Pomroy, Deakin, McLeod, Keeling (Bachra 80), Tudor, Dwyer, P Moore (Bannister 83), A Moore, Peach, Sparrock, Davies.
Gresley Rovers: Harrison, Barry, Elliott (Dick 89), Denby, Land, Minton, Wardle, Smith, Acklam (Venning 59), Weston, Lovell.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Richard Wardle.
Referee: E J Walsh (Rubery).
Attendance: 250
