Gresley Rovers vs Crawley Town
Gresley grab a point – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley’s Beazer Premier learning curve took another upward turn as they faced their toughest opponents yet on Saturday – and survived with their unbeaten record intact.
Indeed, Moat boss Steve Dolby declared himself disappointed afterwards that his team had not taken all three points – but Crawley counterpart Ted Sheppard could have argued a similar case.
Unlike Rovers’ previous Premier Division opponents, Crawley were content to rely on a well-drilled defence built around kingpin skipper Tony Vessey to soak up Rovers’ pressure and look to snatch goals through the guile of former Wimbledon striker Paul Fishenden and the pace and power of strike partner Craig Whitington.
And when the ploy worked to perfection – Fishenden finding space on the left of the Gresley box to tee up a close range finish for Whittington after 32 minutes – Rovers were left needing to find an extra dimension to get back into the game.
The Moatmen had started brightly enough, Mark Hurst firing over the angle from Richard Wardle’s second-minute pass then shooting straight at keeper Neil Taylor after Richard Denby’s exquisite pass had released him down the inside left channel.
But Crawley hinted at things to come when Fishenden blocked a Nick Stanborough clearance only for Whittington to fire a good opening straight at Bob Aston.
That didn’t spoil Rovers’ early momentum with Mike Taplin firing Martin Dick’s through ball against the keeper and Simon Osborne shooting just wide after a flurry of pressure, but Crawley soon went close again when Tony Marsden got into a tangle 10 yards out and winger Steve Payne drifted a shot just wide of a post.
Minutes later Rovers needlessly lost possession and Crawley were celebrating a goal – and with one having been enough to give them victory in their first two games, the signs looked ominous.
Gresley, though, still had resources of resolve to fall back on, Taplin beating two defenders from Wardle’s pass only to fire just wide from 16 yards, then Hurst setting up Marsden 10 yards out only for the midfielder to miscue horribly.
Nine minutes after the restart, however, Gresley were level. Denby’s free kick from the left was only half cleared, Hurst headed the ball back into the danger zone and Taplin emerged from the melee to rifle the ball home from close in.
The goal produced an instant response from Crawley, who suddenly stepped up a gear to give Aston his busiest period of the afternoon.
The keeper clawed Jimmy Dack’s corner against his own bar – Stuart Evans providing a timely clearance – then produced a flying save to keep out Whitington’s express delivery from a Matthew Pearson through ball that found Rovers’ defence wanting.
Osborne failed to connect with a close-range chance after Wardle’s free kick was deflected into his path six yards out, but Aston was soon in flight again, diving to save another Whittington volley then pushing Peason’s shot over the bar after Marsden had again been caught in possession.
Both sides effectively shut up shop after that but Gresley could be content with a draw knowing it had moved them a few more squares along the board towards Premier Division proficiency.
Gresley Rovers (0) 1
Crawley Town (1) 1
Scorers: Taplin 54 (Gresley Rovers); Whittington 32 (Crawley Town).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Dick, Elliott, Denby, Evans, Stanborough, Wardle, Marsden (Rigg 74), Osborne (Moore 70), Taplin, Hurst.
Crawley Town: Taylor, Pearson, Turner (Cook 42), Jenkins, Vessey, Jeffrey, Pane, Ford, Fishenden, Whittington, Dack. Sub not used: Oliva.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Richard Denby.
Referee: P Roberts (Kilburn).
Attendance: 774
