Gresley Rovers vs Arnold St Mary's
Rovers Lose Unbeaten Home Record
Gresley Rovers' unbeaten at home during the whole of last season, had their record broken on Saturday - the first home match of the 1962-63 term - when they entertained Arnold St Mary's in a Central Alliance Premier Division game.
Arnold St Mary's, now having won both their opening games, the first 7-1 against Burton Albion Reserves, and now this one, seem set for a good season and no doubt will provide tough opposition to all they meet.
Nevertheless, Gresley could have won this game, had they started the second half in the same way as the first. They completely dominated play in the initial period, but owing, in some cases to bad luck, and in others to sheer bad finishing, they managed to score only one goal.
This came in the ninth minute from Johnny Hallam, in typical Hallam fashion. A floated centre from the wing was headed past the goalkeeper with the greatest of ease.
From that point until halftime, Gresley attacked continually, but just could not seem to find the Arnold net, and when Arnold scored through Oldham just before the interval, the Rovers faded away completely and from then on never really looked the picture.
A goal by Howard, the Arnold left back, in the 60th minute put the visitors in the lead, and a further goal. Boucher 15 minutes later made victory certain.
Gresley did make a late rally, when Johnny Boulton scored two minutes from time but this proved too late to stave off defeat.
The teams were:-
Gresley Rovers: Smith, Cashmore, Butler, P Boulton, Rowe, Clarke, Duggins, Malkin, Hallam, Fitchett, J Boulton.
Arnold St Mary's: Rockliffe, Molyneux, Howard, Davis, Page, Anthony, Burton, Hornbuckle, Oldham, Williams, Boucher.
Referee: H Hughes (Nuneaton)
