Burton Albion vs Gresley Rovers
Rovers tip the scales - Rex Page - Burton Mail
Gresley continued to shift the local football's balance of power in their direction, at Eton Park last night.
Rovers, still boasting a 100 per cent record after six games in the Beazer Midland Division, added to their growing reputation by claiming victory in the opening leg of the Barclays Southern League Cup first round clash with old enemies Burton Albion.
With a goalless draw looking the likeliest outcome of a generally scrappy game, substitute Mike Taplin produced an 80th minute winner out of the blue to reward Rovers for their endeavour on another night of disappointment for the Albion faithful.
Taplin, back at the ground where he failed to progress beyond reserve team football, provoked a furious debate about the authenticity of his winner when he fastened onto Kieron Smith's lay-off to hit a speculative shot that sailed over Brewer's keeper Nick Goodwin and into the far corner from the angle of the penalty area.
"It was a 'shinner'," said Goodwin afterwards. "The ball bobbled as he went to hit it and just looped over me."
Manager Brian Kenning was equally convinced that Taplin's goal was blessed with a steak of good fortune. He said: "It was a fluke. If he's saying he meant it then I don't think there's a person on the ground who would agree with him."
Whatever the cause, the effect was exactly right, giving Rovers the narrow advantage their hard work warranted.
As is often the case these days, Albion huffed and puffed without seriously threatening to hit the back of the net, while Gresley were compact and well organised.
It was, overall, a game that failed to live up to expectations. The return in two weeks' time should be better because, in their current mood, Albion are a more effective unit away from home and know the tie is far from lost.
Robbie Jones, unusually aggressive, just about won his midfield battle with Richard Denby but Albion were unable to profit from his success in a first half interrupted by too many fouls - usually conceded by Albion - to allow the game to flow freely.
Albion's early flurry, inspired by the eager running, soon blew itself out and it was quickly obvious that scoring opportunities would be few and far between.
Goodwin had to save an angled shot from Paul Acklam - an early test of an injured hand that kept him out for two games - but like Bob Aston he was rarely stretched.
Tony Marsden headed a Denby free kick into the side-netting and probably the best opening of the half came Albion's way in the 31st minute, Adrian Doughty firing wide of the far post after running onto Goodwin's huge kick.
The Brewers briefly flickered to life again after the interval. Brown was unable to make contact with a threatening low cross from Doughty, who then wasted Jones's marvellous low pass by firing weakly at Aston.
Then Gresley's defence recovered quickly to force Simon Redfern to shoot wide after Aston had fumbled a cross.
But, after a series of substitutions had further disrupted the game, Rovers finished the stronger and should have gone ahead in the 73rd minute.
Craig Weston crossed from the right prompted a chaotic scramble in which Acklam fired against a post and Taplin against the legs of Redfern stationed on the line. In both cases it seemed easier to score.
Burton Albion (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (0) 1
Scorer: Taplin 80.
Burton Albion: Goodwin, Foster, Davies, Straw, Brain, Simms (Gocan 67), Redfern, Payne, Doughty (Mottram 80), Jones, Brown.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Dick (Taplin 72), Briscoe, Denby (Swainston 67), Evans, Land, Wardle, Marsden, Smith, Acklam, Weston.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Stuart Evans.
Referee: R W King (Worcester).
Attendance: 746
