UniBond League Division One
The New Manor Ground, Ilkeston
Saturday, 16th October 2004, 3.00pm
Robins Rocked
Gresley Rovers came back from the New Manor Ground with another win under their belts. Gresley had been expecting a backlash from their earlier FA Cup victory but it didn't materialise, indeed, this league win could have been won by an even bigger margin if truth were told.
The Robins could have grabbed an early lead when Stuart Copnell made a complete hash of an attempted shot after some good work by his colleague Justin Jenkins.
Gresley hit back and when Liam Hebberd found Karl Brown but a defender managed to take the ball off his toe before he could get his shot off.
On 10 minutes Aaron O'Connor made space for himself before laying the ball on for Jamie Barrett whose shot was superbly pushed away for a corner by Ross Turner.
Tuner was on hand again just two minutes later when a clever flicked on header by Emeka Ejiofor found Hebberd whose volley was acrobatically tipped over the bar by the Robins keeper.
O'Connor was causing the Ilkeston defence all sorts of problems and was the provider of yet another chance for Gresley. On 17 minutes he danced his way past three defenders before putting the ball through to Barrett but unfortunately the shot went the wrong side of the upright.
Ilkeston came back strongly putting the visiting defence under some pressure. Liam Walshe's cross found Jenkins but his header flew just over the bar. On 29 minutes Gresley keeper Gavin Saxby reacted superbly to a shot from Copnell and did well to tip the ball over the bar.
The Robins were getting on top as the half wore on and on 35 minutes went close again when a superbly hit free kick from Ryan Hindley cleared the wall and was heading for the net until another top draw save from Saxby denied him.
Right on the half time whistle Gresley took the lead. O'Connor collected the ball, turned and fired a ferocious shot that Turner did well to parry but only as far as Ashley Dodd who reacted the quickest and he rammed the ball home.
The Moatmen came out looking to increase their lead and went close on 55 minutes when Ejiofor's free header from Brown's corner kick went over the bar.
Two minutes later O'Connor collected the ball on the left cut inside before firing a curling shot just over the bar.
Then, O'Connor the former Ilkeston player got hold of an Ejiofor flicked header but his shot was held by Turner.
On the hour Ilkeston had a chance to get back on terms when Copnell fired in a shot but Saxby did well to block with his legs.
On 67 minutes Gresley were awarded a free kick taken by Gary White. The kick from 30 yards was hammered goal wards but another fine save from Turner getting his fingers to the ball, prevented Gresley from doubling their advantage.
Three minutes later Ilkeston must have thought their luck was changing when the visitors hit the post twice with two shots. The first came when O'Connor once again got the better of Lever down the left before firing a curling low shot that beat Turner but came back off the right post. Substitute Sean Gummer was following up and looked odds on to put the ball in the net but incredibly his shot hit the left post before being cleared.
As was to be expected the Robins saw this as signal that they could salvage something from the game and began a period of attacking football. Walshe went close with a shot that flew the wrong side of the post and on 78 minutes Jenkins got in the way of a shot from his team mate Dave Jervis who collected the rebound and fired in another shot that was this time well saved by Saxby.
One last chance fell to the home side in time added on when a cross by Jervis found Hindley but he somehow managed to put his shot from all of six yards well over the bar and into the car park.
Manager's View
"Any time is a good time to score but just before half time was good for us. I think it was a fairly even first half and we had a few decent efforts forcing their keeper into some smart saves. Gavin Saxby did the same for us but we went and nipped in front when Ashley Dodd was alert to put the ball home. It gave us a good half time team talk and something to hang on to.
"I think we had the better of the chances in the second half and the number that went begging I was beginning to think it was one of those days and that they would peg us back because they are a quality side.
"In fairness I thought Gavin made some tremendous saves and I thought they were going to get a goal towards the end of the game.
"Aaron O'Connor has run his socks off today and he's shown Ilkeston what they're missing - he's a tremendous capture for us. He created chances and harried their defence and his pace was causing them all sorts of problems. He deserved a goal today - he could have had a hat trick on Tuesday and another one today. When he hit the post and the ball fell to Sean Gummer I thought here we go that's it but he scuffed his shot a little and it hit the other post!
"That was the big chance and I felt we were going to get pegged back because you can't miss chances like that against quality sides like Ilkeston and not be expected to be punished for it.
"We were resolute in defence and rode our luck a little bit. I've got to say what a magnificent performance from Andy Simpson today. He dropped into centre half as emergency cover and has done a tremendous job.
"The whole of the back four were absolutely fantastic. The midfield boys have done well also. I'm delighted with the result.
"The two sides today were evenly matched. We've only conceded seven goals in the league and we've been fortunate to come to the New Manor Ground and get two results but I've tried to calm my players down a bit in the dressing room because it's a long season and we play Ilkeston at the Moat Ground in the penultimate game of the season and hopefully everything will have been decided by then - but they could still be a thorn in our sides this season!"
