Gresley Rovers vs Dudley Town
Good Evans Rovers! - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Stuart Evans' smile lit up the Moat Ground as the Gresley defender wrote his name in the Rovers' record book on Saturday.
Evans' 26th-minute header was Gresley's first ever goal in the Beazer Homes League and the 21-year-old said afterwards: "It was a great feeling when that one popped in - and it's a great feeling to start the season with a win."
Indeed, there were smiling faces all round the Moat Ground and Evans said: "All the lads enjoyed it today - and you only enjoy it when you play well."
Manager Steve Dolby had extra cause for delight, revealing: "We worked on the free kick that gave us Stuart's goal in training on Thursday night and it was pleasing to see it come off."
A 62nd-minute penalty converted by the impressive Robbie Briscoe confirmed Rovers' win, the ex-Ram firing confidently home after Richard Denby had been tripped.
But such was Gresley domination of a Dudley side clearly showing the signs of being completely rebuilt during the summer by boss Malcolm Woodbine that Rovers could have won by a hatful.
Said Evans: "We could easily have been three or four up by half time but the chances didn't go in so we had to keep battling away."
Martin Devaney went closest before Evans' opener, his close-range shot from Mick Taplin's cross coming back off a post into keeper Ian Scarr's hands.
Richard Wardle, Gil Land and Tony Marsden all had efforts cleared off the line while Wardle, twice, and Marsden drew excellent saves from Scarr.
Bob Aston produced good saves either side of half time to keep the visitors out but it was always a question of how many Gresley would win by. One thing is certain, though - there are much better sides than Dudley waiting along the way.
Gresley Rovers (1) 2
Dudley Town (0) 0
Scorers: Evans 26, Briscoe 62 (pen).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Barry, Briscoe, Denby, Evans, Land, Wardle, Marsden (Dick 89), Smith, Taplin (Acklam 76), Devaney.
Dudley Town: Scarr, Woodbine, Edwards (L Young 76), B Young, Day, Mason, Cartwright, Whitehouse, Hodgetts (Marriott 87), S Field, Clifton.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Robbie Briscoe.
Referee: D Soloman (Cannock).
Attendance: 555
