Match Report  |  Yate Town vs Gresley Rovers

Yate Town vs Gresley Rovers

Rovers hang on - Andy Parker - Burton Mail

Gresley Rovers survived a series of air raids to bring back three valuable Beazer Midland points from the West Country last night.

Twice ahead through Martin Devaney goals, Rovers were twice pulled back to level as Yate made full use of their considerable height advantage.

But in the end an 82nd minute Craig Weston penalty clinched a thoroughly deserved victory, leaving Rovers boss Steve Dolby saying: "I'd have been very disappointed if we'd not won."

And he was critical of his hosts' style saying: "It was like American Football with them - every time they got a dead ball situation in our half they changed the team round."

The ploy almost worked for Yate after just two minutes when striker Richard Thompson just failed to connect with Colin Towler's long throw.

But Rovers quickly assumed control and went ahead after just eight minutes.

Richard Denby switched play from right to left and Dave Swainston's pass towards the edge of the box was met by a glancing header from Devaney that crept just inside keeper Andy Wescott's far post.

Gresley could have added to their lead with Devaney twice opening up the Yate defence but Paul Acklam and Graeme Rigg were both unable to convert chances.

Acklam went closer when he punished a defensive error by Russell Dunn with a 25-yard chip that beat Wescott before bouncing back off a post.

Five minutes after half time Yate were level when Towler's long throw was flicked on by Thompson and Hullett fired into the roof of the net from close range.

Ten minutes later only a brilliant save prevented Thompson from giving Yate the lead, Bob Aston dropping to his left to push away a stinging shot after Kevin Thaws had opened up the Rovers defence.

The warning did not go unheeded and two minutes later Rovers were back in front, Stuart Evans putting Devaney clear to lift the ball over the advancing Westcott.

Three minutes later Devaney had an even better chance to complete his hat trick but this time shot wide after racing clear on to Denby's ball.

The miss looked costly when another long throw by Towler set up Thaws for an unstoppable 18-yard drive to put Yate level.

But Gresley merely stepped up the pressure and when Denby put sibstitute Mick Taplin clear in the 82nd minute he was tripped in the area by full back Paul Harrison and Weston made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Yate Town
(0) 2

Gresley Rovers (1) 3