Gresley Rovers vs Crewton Sports
Gresley Rovers had to fight – JDH – Burton Mail
If Crewton Sports are the type of team Gresley Rovers are to meet this season then the South Derbyshire side will find the road to the top a tough one, for although they gained two Central Alliance Premier Division points last night at the Moat Ground they had to battle for them all the way.
Crewton, who provided Gresley with two of their best games last season, never gave up the fight in this match which contained goals, action and speed and although the Rovers apparently had the upper hand the slightest error was turned to advantage by Crewton.
On last night's showing Crewton are again going to be a force with which to be reckoned, and they will provide shocks for several teams who might regard them as "easy meat."
I am quite sure that Gresley realised the danger presented by their visitors and the changes that were made in the team certainly seemed to add strength and perhaps this was just as well for the Rovers' side of last Saturday afternoon would not have repeated their 5-1 success.
The score of 4-2 was, I think, a fair representation of the edge which Gresley had over their visitors, for their forward line had that extra punch which Crewton never seemed to find, although I must admit that they put in enough effort to warrant goals.
But, by the same token, so did Gresley and during the first half they had several near-misses which, had they been converted into goals, would have enabled the home team to have led by 4-1 at the interval.
The match was played throughout at a fast pace and neither side dared to ease the pressure for the slightest sign of relaxation would have been interpreted as weakness by the opposition. Indeed, even when the Rovers led by two clear goals in the second period they were called upon to defend desperately on several occasions.
Obviously Crewton were determined not to go down without a fight, and when John Boulton's 78th minute penalty went straight to Chapman it was, perhaps, poetic justice, for the visitors had fought bravely indeed and would not have to deserved to have lost 5-2.
Despite mixed feelings in some sections of the crowd, I think the Gresley committee must feel justified in making the changes they did, and once the best combination is found the Rovers will take a great deal of holding.
Crewton, however may well prove to be a stumbling block to Gresley's progress, and the return fixture on April 18th next year could prove to be a thriller.
Gresley kicked off, but Crewton were soon on the attack and forced Gresley to fall back into defence.
However, the Rovers came back and gained a corner on the right, a Hallam header from Mitchell's flag kick going just wide.
Gresley came back and after four minutes, Hallam playing his first Alliance game of the season, found the back of the net from four yards with a sidefooted shot from a J Boulton centre from the left.
The Rovers had the bit between their teeth now and a good move down the middle nearly paid dividends when Hallam tried an overhead kick from a Mitchell centre. The shot was just wide.
Crewton gained a corner on the right and Casterton's kick went to Liddle whose header was pushed out by Holland. Cooper was on hand, however, and slammed the ball into the net, after 10 minutes to even the score.
Undeterred, Gresley came back and a Hallam header saw Duggins hook the ball first time, but Chapman was able to save fairly easily.
Woodburn fouled Liddle 15 yards outside the Rovers' area but the inside-right's shot was ruined when Jones was judged to be offside.
Gresley gained a corner on the right but Mitchell's flag kick was headed away by Dadge with Boulton shapping up to drive.
Both sides were settling down and although the pitch was greasy a fast game was being played.
Gresley gained a free kick on the left, eight yards from the goal, but Boulton's lob was driven just over the bar by Mitchell.
Casterton swung a ball across the goal from the right and Holland tipped it away to Liddle but the Crewton inside left blazed wide and high.
Play swept back to the other end and Duggins drove the ball at the bar for it to rebound to Insley whose shot was inches over.
Gresley went ahead after 31 minutes with a copy-book goal from Duggins, who headed home a Boulton centre from the left.
Straight afterwards Crewton had a chance to equalise when Campion tried a shot but King was on hand to kick off the line.
Crewton gained a corner on the right but Cooper's header from Casterton's flag kick was well taken by Holland.
Cooper was very fortunate with a header from a Jones centre on the left, the ball shaking the bar and rebounding, to be driven out of play.
Campion, injured earlier in an incident with King, was now a passenger on the left wing and was unable to contribute much to Crewton's effort.
The second half started more slowly than the first but an Insley header from a Boulton centre on the left was only just wide.
John Boulton made it three for Gresley after 53 minutes, from the penalty spot after Hallam had been pushed in the back while taking a ball from the right.
The Rovers began to pile on the pressure now and a Duggins header struck the foot of a post – a let off for Crewton.
Crewton could still fight, however, but Campion, who was more in the game now, missed a good chance, shooting high over.
Number four came after 62 minutes when Duggins found himself unmarked in the centre and streaked up the middle with the ball. Chapman came out to narrow the angle and the Rovers' inside right put the ball past him for a well-taken goal.
Gresley had a chance for number five after 78 minutes, when right back Dadge fisted out a Boulton drive from the left. The referee immediately awarded a penalty, but John Boulton's spot-kick went straight at Chapman who had to receive the trainers attention.
Crewton gained a free kick just inside the area when Jones was fouled. Liddle teed up the ball for Dadge, who shot for the far corner of the net, the ball going in off a post to reduce the arrears after 86 minutes.
Gresley Rovers (2) 4
Crewton Sports (1) 2
Scorers: Hallam 4, Duggins 31, 62, Boulton 53 (pen) (Gresley Rovers);
Cooper 10, Dadge 86 (Crewton Sports).
Gresley Rovers: Holland, Miller, Burton, Woodburn, King, Fitchett, Mitchell, Duggins, Hallam, (Insley), Boulton.
Crewton Sports: Chapman, McGlincky, Dadge, Marshall, Mansfield, Healy, Casterton, Campion, Cooper, Liddle, Jones.
Referee: M Edwards (Burton).
