Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs West Bromwich Albion
It took a moment of quality to break the deadlock in this closely fought match. And what a piece of quality it was.
The game started as expected with West Brom making all the attacking moves in the first 10 minutes and on 14 minutes the visitors almost took the lead.
West Brom were awarded a free kick on the edge of Gresley's' penalty area and Simon Brown took the kick quickly and his shot crashed against the junction of bar and upright and away to safety.
Three minutes later the goal that was worth the entrance fee on it's own. West Brom were pushing forward towards Rovers' goal and Kelly Frederickson played a clever back heel to Jason Roberts who controlled the ball took it expertly past a couple of defenders before wrong footing home keeper Mark Sheils slipping the ball into the net.
It was no more than the visitors deserved and a few minutes could have increased their lead but they put a header wide when well placed.
On 26 minutes Gresley had a half chance when West Brom keeper Joe Murphy seemed to fumble a cross when challenged but as the ball fell loose there was no Gresley player available to capitalise.
Five minutes later another chance for Gresley as they began to find their feet and their confidence. A Matt Smith free kick was cleverly flicked on by Ian Pitt to Neil Kitching who had lost his marker but the final shot was well over the bar.
On 32 minutes West Brom had the ball in the net again but to the relief of the home supporters the assistant was flagging for an offside.
West Brom then put together a flowing move from one end to the other and only another superb save by Sheils and then Ian Bluck blocking his shot denied Brown.
On 37 minutes Chris Gray got on the end of a Matt Moran cross but the midfielder's header went straight into the arms of the keeper.
Six minutes later Sheils was called on again to make a reflex save pushing the ball out for a corner.
Right on the stroke of half-time some good inter passing between Kitching and Pitt was spoiled when Pitt hit a poor shot wide of the mark.
Within 10 minutes of the re-start Gary White had a chance from 25-yards but his free kick flew well over the bar.
Neither side were making many chances as both defences controlled things. On 66 minutes West Brom were awarded a free kick but again the chance was wasted with the shot being blasted well over the bar.
One of the best chances of the half came on 75 minutes when West Brom put a free header well over the bar when well placed.
On 79 minutes substitute Aaron Brady hit a good shot that tested Murphy in the visitor's goal who did well to hold on to the ball.
As the match ran through it's closing stages Kitching went close but his clever chip cleared the bar by just a fraction and Carl Timms' vicious shot was held by Murphy at the second attempt.
The visitors still had a couple of chances to add to their lead with Roberts hitting a superb shot that beat Sheils but cannoned off the upright and right on the full time whistle a shot flew across the Gresley goal and away to safety.
Gary Norton's view of the game
"We got beaten by a goal of quality from Jason Roberts who jinxed his way through the box.
"The disappointing thing was the free kick we gave away that I thought was a little unnecessary. But the way he stuck it in the net was top drawer. And to be fair you won't see that in the Dr Martens Western Division every week.
"The lads are down because they lost the game 1-0 and we're out of the competition and we wanted to get to the final because it's been a few years since we've been there.
"Fitness wise it's been a fantastic workout and I'm very please with the level of our lads fitness. I thought Neil Kitching worked his socks off and I brought him off purely because of the Alfreton game on Wednesday.
"I was delighted with both Kitch and Ian Pitt in the first half. The quality of movement and in the air was good and they are beginning to develop into a nice partnership, which I'm excited about.
"Mark Sheils was superb again tonight and he's got a lot more to come because he's not played too many games since his injury lay-off.
"The midfield did well. We've got a few options and the only reason I took Craig Hopkins and Carl Slater off was to have a look at a few more players. Neither of them deserved to come off. I also decided to have a look at Aaron Brady again.
"It's very difficult in a friendly because although we were 1-0 down I wanted to have a look at a few players. I wanted at least half an hour playing a back three and I'm pleased with how they played and also the back four I tried earlier in the game.
"I'm pleased with how Matt Smith has formed a good partnership with Andy Cheetham in defence they've only played two games together but they are looking good.
"The midfield is a massive headache to me as caretaker manager because we've got some fantastic options It's disappointing for Andy Bourne and Jamie Barrett but they've both only just come back off holiday. They had at least 60 minutes in the mixed side we took to Newhall on Saturday and I still think they need a bit more yet.
"We are only allowed to use five substitutions in this competition and ideally I would like to have had a look at a few more.
"I still think we need someone who can stick their foot in, in midfield and if I had to pick out one player who has epitomised the effort we are after it would be Carl Slater closely followed by many of his team mates. He's been superb in the last two games. "
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
West Bromwich Albion (1) 1
Scorer: Roberts 17 (West Brom)
Gresley Rovers: Sheils, Bluck, G White, Smith, Cheetham, Slater (Timms 78), Moran (Lonergan 59), Hopkins (Weston 59), Kitching (Alexander 83), Pitt (Brady 70), Gray. Subs not used: Clarke, Blastland.
West Bromwich Albion: Murphy, Midworth, Sherwood, Chambers, Adams, Mkandewine, Brown, Marshall, Frederickson (Patterson 68), Dyer, Roberts. Subs not used: Crane, Warner, Holmes, Smikie, Paszkoweci.
Referee: B Curzon (Hinckley).
Attendance: 600
