Bass Vase
The Moat Ground
Tuesday, 20th July 2004, 7.45pm
Albion win in the Vase
Gresley could not have got off to a worse start against their neighbours Burton Albion in their first game of this year's Bass Charity Vase competition.
The visitors took the lead as early as the 4th minute when Michael Simpkins floated over a cross that Chris Hall tapped in at the far post.
Three minutes later Albion doubled their advantage when Mark Robins managed to evade the attention of Gresley keeper Dale Belford on the bye line before lobbing the ball to Hall who had the simplest of tasks to nod the ball home.
Simpkins was not proving to be a secure in defence for the Conference outfit as his colleagues and on 10 minutes he make a basic mistake that allowed Justin Rowe in on goal but Matt Duke managed to stop Rowe's shot with his feet.
Gresley seemed to be settling to their task at last and a block tackle thwarted a fine run by former Albion player Sean Gummer before he had time to fire in his shot.
On 26 minutes another run down the left by Gummer ended with his shot held by Duke and the ball flying down the other end where Robins put his shot over the bar.
The action was going end to end and Rowe went close two minutes later putting a shot just wide from 25 yards.
Chris Hall, who had caused the Gresley back line problems in the first half had a chance to hit his hat-trick but could only fire wide when well placed.
Gary White was called on to put in a superbly timed tackle on Hall as he ran in on goal to deny the Albion newcomer another chance.
The second half started as the same as the first with Albion making all the running and on 58 minutes a block by Jamie Barrett saved another certain goal.
White went close for Gresley on 64 minutes as his looping header from Justin Rowe's cross flew just wide of the mark.
A few minutes later Gummer fired in a vicious low drive that Duke did well to push away.
Down at the other end Belford was called on to punch away a corner and on 73 minutes a fine blocking tackle from young substitute Tom Guiney prevented yet another attack on the home goal.
On 80 minutes Gresley had the chance to get on the score sheet after a very clumsy tackle on Liam Hebberd by Ian Wright in the area gave the referee Mr Olivier no option but to award a penalty.
With the penalty taker off the pitch due to substitution, Barrett chose to take the spot kick but he put the shot high and wide much to his embarrassment.
In the final couple of minutes of the game Belford pulled off two superb saves to deny both Andy Corbett and Robbie Talbot.
Manager's View
"It was obviously disappointing to concede two early goals in the way we did. To be fair to the lads they got stuck in and they worked hard.
"We knew that we'd be pulled around all night and that there would be long periods in the game where we would be chasing the ball.
"But, I felt that after the early setbacks we kept our shape reasonably well and we certainly didn't disgrace ourselves.
"Burton are going to be pushing towards the top six in the Conference and yes, it is early days and it was only their second game as it was ours.
"Shape wise, touch and passing you could see the quality oozing through them and all we can do is to learn from those sorts of games and I'm sure we will do that and have done tonight.
"The players are in the dressing room absolutely shattered - they've had a fantastic workout.
"Credit to Nigel and his team - it was a decent game with some decent football played by both sides.
"I was quite pleased with our second half performance - (a) not to concede and (b) with some of the football we played.
"Sean Gummer put in another good performance and Justin Rowe had a very good performance and I'm very encouraged in what I'm seeing from him and there were several other notable performances as well.
"It would have been nice if Jamie Barrett had scored the penalty. We'd arranged before the game that Richard Wardle was gong to be on penalties but I'd taken him off a little earlier, but, Baz was brave and wanted it.
"It was disappointing because it would have been nice to have got on the scoresheet and it would have made for an interesting last 10 or 15 minutes because, although Burton were in control for most of the game you know that anything can happen in the last 10 or 15 minutes of games and it would have been nice to, maybe, have had the opportunity to stick in an equaliser - but it was not to be.
"It was a pre-season friendly against one of the top teams in non-league and we've done alright tonight."
