UniBond League Division One
Dark Lane, Newchurch, Rossendale
Tuesday, 24th August 2004, 7.45pm
Rovers win again!
"I'm flabbergasted - whoever witnessed that game tonight will never have seen anything like it." Those were the remarks from manager Gary Norton after seeing his side grab all three points at Rossendale.
The game saw nine bookings and three red cards in an explosive game that saw referee Mr Thorley play a 61 minutes second half period.
Rossendale came out applying all the pressure and on three minutes Ian Barker put a header fractionally wide of the post after connecting with Paul Forsythe's cross.
The bookings started with Sean Gummer being the first in the referee's notebook after just 8 minutes.
Minutes later Gresley keeper Dale Belford had to be alert to block a shot from Gareth Gardner.
The home side were dictating all the play as Gresley defended for all they were worth. Barker had another chance with a header on 20 minutes but again the striker put the ball wide of the mark.
Gresley's chance of the half fell to Karl Brown, who had scored on his debut against Ossett Albion, but his header went wide from a Gummer cross.
Brown, who had been booked earlier, was dismissed just before the interval for kicking the ball away.
It looked as if Gresley were going to be up against it for the second half but it turned out to be an astonishing 61-minute period.
They came out taking the game to the opposition with Justin Rowe superbly helping on a long ball from Gary White to Liam Hebberd whose shot needed to be grabbed at the second attempt by Paul Eatock
The play switched to the other end and on 58 minutes Rossendale were within inches of taking the lead when Barker powered in a header but it crashed off the bar. They were to rue that miss for two minutes Gresley snatched the lead.
The visitors were awarded a free kick on the left taken by White. His in-swinging kick was turned against a post by Jordan Rispin but Andy Simpson was there to hammer the ball into the net.
Gresley's lead only lasted 7 minutes when White was adjudged to have tripped Jimmy Hoyle in the box and Chris Clarke sent Belford the wrong was from the spot.
Rossendale pushed for a winner and went close when Clarke's deflected free kick when just wide.
On 76 minutes they went close again but Barker put a header wide for the umpteenth time and six minutes Gresley defender Richard Wardle put in an inch-perfect tackle to deny Chris Brooks.
With only five minutes of normal time left on the clock what can only be described as pandemonium broke out in the Gresley area.
Rispin appeared to be injured following a collision with Gresley defender Jamie Hood that turned in to a melee involving all the players. Even one of the home substitutes ran on the pitch to get involved.
After checking with his assistant, referee Thorley showed Emeka Ejiofor a red card for apparently lashing out at Phil Lockett. Lockett, himself booked previously, was shown the red card for retaliation and to top it all Forsythe was cautioned.
Referee's in the UniBond league now notify the home side bench who then have to show how much time is to be added on - and an amazing 10 minutes were to be added.
In injury time Hebberd went close when he fired over Simpson's cross but that wasn't the last say.
This incredible match was decided in the 99th minute when substitute Aaron O'Connor put an incisive pass through to Jamie Barrett who smashed in a superb shot past the bewildered Eatock.
The scoring had finished but the booking had not when Carl Slater's name went along side all the other in the ref's book.
Manager's View
"I'm flabbergasted. Whoever witnessed that game will never have seen anything like it before.
"It was an exciting end to end game and I'm delighted we got something out of the game, but it was fantastic to go on and win it. To get a winner like that was fantastic and I can only thank the players for their effort and commitment.
"I was disappointed to give away a penalty like we did but I'd have settled with a point as there was a long way to go. The watch seemed to be going very, very slow and I've just been told the second half lasted 61 minutes - it seemed like 120 minutes!
"I can't comment on Emeka's sending off because there was so much going on.
"We've got to get our feet back on the ground. We've got a game against Stocksbridge on Saturday and we need to capitalise on this good start.It's still only two games - forty to go!.
"I'd just like to say a word about the support tonight. For a 120 miles trip the level of support we had here was fantastic and I hope it continues. I'm sure they'll be talking about it all the way home.
"Anyone who left five minutes from time missed it all. They'll be sitting at home thinking it finished 1-1. It's a pity it wasn't televised because that last 15 - 20 minutes was absolutely amazing. It'll certainly live for a long time in my mind!"
