Pelsall Villa vs Gresley Rovers
Quiet for keeper as Rovers sign off – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley rounded off what they hope will be last ever West Midlands League campaign in the most satisfying of styles last night.
Victory at Pelsall not only ensured that Rovers finish champions by a massive 14-point margin from runners-up Paget Rangers.
It meant also that since Steve Dolby took the helm, Gresley have yet to concede a goal, with last night’s win their sixth consecutive clean sheet.
Keeper Simon Harrison, his confidence growing behind the league’s best-organised defence, has had a major part to play in achieving the record.
But last night he was hardly called into action as Rovers, fielding two youth teamers and with five regulars missing from the starting line-up, dominated the early stages.
The keeper easily fielded a shot by former Moatman Reg Priest then stood back in admiration as his team-mates showed how the job should be done at the other end.
John Barry knocked in a free kick from the right, Paul Acklam flicked on and Jason Minton arrived at the far post to force the ball past Gary Reeves – the keeper who, by playing illegally for Mile Oak Rovers last season, was responsible for Gresley being reinstated in the FA Vase.
Harrison produced an excellent punch to clear Dave Liggins’ cross but the threat to Reeves’ goal was more tangible and after Acklam had directed a firm header straight at the keeper he saw another effort disallowed for pushing.
Stuart Evans, showing no sign of the groin strain that has kept him sidelined for over a month, cleared Carl Duffus’s shot from the goalmouth as Pelsall began the second half strongly, but Gresley were soon back in control with teenage winger Chris Parkins in the limelight.
He produced a superb run and cross to set up Acklam for a shot that flew over, then repeated the trick only for Gil Land’s header to thump against the underside of the bar. He was then involved again as Land fired in a 25-yard shot that clipped the outside of a post.
Rovers fans were willing Parkins to score but the blank scoreline at the other end looked the most impressive statistic.
Pelsall Villa (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (1) 1
Scorer: Minton 32.
Pelsall Villa: Reeves, Haytree, Liggins (S Hughes 69), Coles, Spragg, Stephens, Duffus, Davison, Priest, Gough, Walters. Sub not used: I Hughes.
Gresley Rovers: Harrison, Barry, Minton, Wardle, Evans, Astley, Mead (Land 57), Parkins, Acklam (Beresford 69), Weston, Lovell.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Stuart Evans.
Referee: M J Carrington (Shepshed).
Attendance: 180
