Gresley Rovers vs Bridgnorth Town
Moatmen carry out Vase duty - Burton Mail
Steve Dolby's delighted expression after the final whistle summed up another convincing performance by Gresley Rovers at the Moat Ground on Saturday.
The Moatmen had done everything required of them by their manager, resulting in a comprehensive if at times unattractive FA Vase fourth round victory.
Arriving at the half time interval with a deserved two-goal lead, having survived an early spell in which Bridgnorth dominated possession to take control for the majority of the half, Rovers defended grimly after the interval as the visitors sought to use a gusting wind to their advantage.
Said Dolby: "We were playing a side that's lost three out of 15 in the league and we restricted them so well I don't think they had a clear cut chance.
"We were aiming to contain them and stop them playing and we've scored three goals on top of that. I set them all a task to do and they've all done brilliantly."
Rovers' opener came as they emerged from an uncertain spell to win the games first corner after 25 minutes. Robbie Briscoe, who had minutes earlier scorned a golden opportunity by shooting hurriedly wide from six yards after Martin Devaney had charged down a clearance, knocked in a near post kick and after Richard Wardle and Stuart Evans has helped the ball on Gil Land's shot was turned into his own net by defender Paul Evans.
Bridgnorth sought a swift reply but Larry Chambers' overhead kick flew just past the angle and within minutes Rovers had a firm foot in the last 16.
Richard Denby took a free kick from the near right corner flag and the ball sailed over a crowded six yard box before curling into the top corner.
Again Bridgnorth sought quick redress but found Rovers in a determined mood at the back, and Denby could have put the issue beyond doubt when Dave Swainston's pass beat Town's offside trap but the Rovers skipper hesitated for a split second after rounding the keeper and Paul Tester swept the ball to safety.
Thus an expectant Moat Ground crowd had to wait until the final minute for another goal. Devaney, who a minute earlier had blazed over the bar after being freed by Weston's pass this time making no mistake from six yards after Weston supplied a peach of a cross from the right.
Gresley Rovers (2) 3
Bridgnorth Town (0) 0
Scorers: P Evans 25 (og), Denby 36, Devaney 89.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Elliott, Swainston, Denby, S Evans, Land, Wardle, Rigg, Weston, Devaney, Briscoe. Subs not used: Acklam, Dick.
Bridgnorth Town: Whitehouse, Frisby, Beddoes, P Evans, Lander, Taylor, Chambers, Tester, Davidson, Comerford (McCauley 77), Blocksidge (Gilman 68).
Gresley man-of-the-match: Gil Land.
Referee: S W Mathieson (Bredbury, Stockport).
Attendance: 787
