Chelmsford City vs Gresley Rovers
Dismal run continues – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley's dismal run continued at The Stadium on Saturday, but there were signs that better days are not far off.
Manager Steve Dolby, forced by illness, injury and suspension to field one of the most inexperienced Rovers sides for years, may justifiably feel that the arrival of Nigel Simms from Rocester and the return of Martin Devaney from work commitments abroad could be the vital components as his side seek their first Beazer Premier victory since September against Atherstone tomorrow.
Certainly, there were enough chances on Saturday for the barren spell to have ended in wet and windy Essex.
With Colin Loss a revelation in midfield, Mark Blount composed and commanding at the center of defence and debutant Corin Holiness barely putting a foot wrong at left back, Rovers dictated an absorbing game for long spells.
Said Dolby afterwards: "I'm not one to complain but we were down to 13 fit players today yet every one of them has done well. Loss was exceptional."
In fact, the former Derby County youngster was given a platform for a display even more exciting than the fireworks that exploded over the pitch to celebrate an Indian religious festival in the second half by gritty defending and the commitment of fellow midfielders Richard Wardle and Tony Marsden.
The pair covered every square inch of the field as Rovers commanded the first half only to disappointingly waste a golden opportunity to take the lead.
Loss's 31st minute through ball split the City defence and left Paul Acklam with time to line up his shot but the normally lethal striker fired wide with just the keeper to beat.
Nine minutes later Rovers paid a harsh penalty. Bob Aston's kick was swiftly returned to the danger area and when the gangling Tony Rogers played Robbie Garvey into space inside the penalty area the midfielder needed no second invitation, rocketing a right-foot shot into the top of the net from 16-yards.
Even then Rovers could have levelled, Acklam seizing on a half chance to fire a half volley that grazed the outside of the post.
The patterns continued into the second half with Acklam again drifting a shot just off target after Simon Osborne's run.
Then Loss, clearing from the edge of his own area, was laid out by an off-the-ball elbow and Rovers' momentum was never the same again.
Rogers skimmed the top of the bar with a towering header after a corner and then, after Gresley once again failed to clear their lines effectively of defenders, to wrap things up with another explosive right-foot finish.
Still Rovers battled, Marsden twice failing to make sufficient contact with close range headers before Craig Weston claimed a fortuitous consolation goal, his shot from 25 yards looping up off keeper Mervyn Cawston's gloves and into the net.
Chelmsford City (1) 2
Gresley Rovers (0) 1
Scorers: Garvey 40, 61 (Chelmsford City); Weston 72 (Gresley Rovers).
Chelmsford City: Cawston, Jaques, Restarick, Mosely, Brush, Staples, Jenkins, Garvey, Rogers, Davidson, Hoddy (Morrison 79). Sub not used: Giddens.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Dick, Holness (Taplin 79), Loss, Blount, Wardle, Marsden, Osborne (Moore 64), Acklam, Weston.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Colin Loss
Referee: S Tinckell (Watford).
Attendance: 465
