Cinderford Town vs Gresley Rovers
They say revenge is a dish best served cold but it was a case of red-hot Rovers when they took on Cinderford at The Causeway.
Cinderford's visit to the Moat Ground saw them sneak all three points but Gresley were determined not to let that happen again.
Things didn't look quite so good when Gary White had to be replaced after just 7 minutes of the match as assistant manager Alan Titteron had already reshuffled his pack owing to Andy Cheetham's late withdrawal.
Gresley made the first chance on 8 minutes when a superb ball from Jamie Barrett found Liam Hebberd who comfortably beat a home defender but unfortunately put his shot over the bar.
Town created one of their rare attempts on goal moments later but Richard Kear could only put the ball straight in to Gresley keeper Dale Belford's arms.
It was almost constant pressure from the visitors with Carl Slater's cross being headed over the bar by Barrett.
However, the goal that looked certain came on 18 minutes. A defensive slip by Dave Cairns allowed substitute John Branch to take the ball forward before coolly slipping the ball past Andy Fisher.
Six minutes later Gresley were in complete control and they doubled their lead. Defender Ian Bluck, who promised to score before the end of the season, completed his promise by getting the second goal when he headed home a Leon Doughty corner.
With a minute gone of the second half Cinderford's misery was made worse as Gresley got their third goal. A free kick into the box was headed back by Matt Smith to Barrett who inch perfectly nodded the ball past Fisher to make it three.
Cinderford's resistance was wilting in the sun as Gresley ran riot through their defence. Carl Francis was causing them all sorts of problems and was twice denied by some brave keeping from Fisher.
Fisher again had to save his sides blushes as he managed to get a hand to a Hebberd shot.
Probably, the only chance the home side got to reduce the arrears came on 58 minutes but again it was poor finishing from Kear who put his header over the bar when very well placed.
Minutes later a superb through ball from Slater found Francis but the young striker's goal bound shot was deflected for a corner by Julian Addis.
Another goal for Gresley looked certain and on 67 minutes it came. Cinderford was under extreme pressure and failed to clear the danger of a free kick. The ball feel to Hebbered whose shot was helped home by a slight deflection.
Cinderford could have had no complaints if Gresley had got into double figures such was their dominance of the game.
Cinderford Town (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (2) 4
Scorers: Branch 18, Bluck 24, Barrett 46, Hebberd 67.
Cinderford Town: Fisher, Hook
, Carns, Ranford, Steadman, J. Addis, Lutz (Pegler 48), Gittings, Kear, D. Addis, Hart. Subs not used: Davies, Adams.
Gresley Rovers: Belford, Bluck (Guiney 48), White (Branch 7), Smith, Hood, Slater, Doughty, Barrett, Hebberd (Barker 73), Francis, Wardle.
Rovers Star Man: Matt Smith – colossal in defence.
Referee: S. Barrow (Tamworth)
Attendance: 135
