Gresley Rovers vs Arnold St Mary's
Below Best Gresley Left It Late
A dull first half gave no indication of what was to follow in this Central Alliance Premier Division game on the Moat Ground on Saturday, when the Rovers, after being a goal in arrears, came back to win by three goals to two.
No one expected that they were to be treated to a second period goal-rush, for the first 45 minutes had produced very little in the way of good attacking football, and both defences had controlled the game.
The Rovers achieved their victory as a result of a series of all-out raids in the closing minutes, which brought a goal from inside right Johnny Hallam. The Gresley forward, although in pain from an injured leg, drove the ball past Ironmonger with a very well-placed shot.
However, although this is a story of success it is also one which must have given the Gresley committee food for thought, for the Rovers easily could have won by twice the margin. The reason they did not was lack of cohesion in the forward line, which enabled the Arnold defence to scramble the ball clear on many occasions.
Possibly the rearrangement of the attack was the main cause of the failing, for all the forwards with, perhaps, the exception of out-side left Peter Shaw, seemed unable to give their best. On many occasions passes went astray and the line never really settled down throughout the 90 minutes.
Most disappointing from Gresley's point of view was the first half, which should have produced goals, for the opportunities were always there. It is true that Arnold's defence was very tight, but in spite of this I feel that the Rovers could and should have gained a lead.
The reason that it was not, lay for most parts in the poor finishing, which, as I have stated, could have been due to the positional changes made in the side.
But in spite of these shortcomings, Gresley's victory cannot be denied, and it was particularly creditable when one considers that before the match Arnold were above them in the league table. On paper it appeared that a draw was a very likely result, especially when it is remembered that Arnold held Boston United earlier in the season.
Playing his first game for Gresley at left back was recently signed Butler, and he impressed from start to finish with a series of cool, methodical moves that promise much more for the future. He had the measure of the opposing outside right, Moore, but was often called upon to do more than his fair share of work, as B Hextall had a non-too-successful game at left half.
Taking everything into consideration I am certain that the Rovers could have won more easily than the score suggests, for they were definitely the stronger of the two teams.
The lack of co-ordination seemed to induce a feeling of apathy into the side. This did not apply to all the players, of course, and several turned in good performances, but generally, the standard was not as high as we have seen previously this season.
The first half saw few thrills, but shortly before halftime, Hallam put Clarke away, for the centre forward to shoot while on the run. The ball hit a post with tremendous force and had it been inches towards the net, it would have been a certain goal.
Seven minutes after the resumption Arnold went ahead through England who took advantage of a Gresley defensive error to tap the ball over the line from close in.
Stung into activity, the Rovers retaliated, and Hallam notched the equaliser three minutes later, with a glorious header from a Clarke centre.
This started a ding-dong battle for supremacy and a Gresley victory seemed assured when Shaw put them in the lead in the 70th minute, with a shot from a difficult angle that carried goalkeeper Ironmonger into the net.
But the visitors came back again and put themselves on level terms in the 87th minute through England, who tapped the ball home after Lightfoot had saved a difficult shot but partially dropped the ball.
The realisation that victory could slip from their grasp gave Gresley the incentive to mount strong attacks, one of which led to John Hallam's goal in the 89th minute. The inside right seized the ball and drove it between the posts.
Gresley Rovers: Lightfoot, Cashmore, Butler, P Boulton, Rowe, Hextall, J Boulton, Hallam, Clarke, Fitchett, Shaw.
Arnold St Mary's: Ironmonger, Molyneux, Groome, Wright, Martin, Anthony, Moore, Williams, England, Page, Cann.
Referee: PD Hughes (Derby)
Gate receipts: £23.10s
