Wellington Town Reserves vs Gresley Rovers
Wellington Town Res 1 - 1 Gresley Rovers
A Birmingham League (Northern Section) game took Rovers to Shropshire to play Wellington Town (now Telford Utd) on 12th March 1955.
Player manager Sammy Crooks (who stayed at Gresley to watch the Reserve side play Derby County 'B') would be disappointed if he had seen the display Rovers gave in their one-one draw.
The guiding influence of Cooks was obviously missed as there was no link between defence and attack. Wellington's link between defence and attack was provided by 21-year-old Woolley. It was the hard working youngster who equalised from the penalty spot in the 54th minute which was awarded following an infringement on Dean.
Gresley's goal had come 10 minutes earlier when Eric Duggins gave them a surprise lead with a shot that curled into the net helped by the brisk cross wind. Haines, who had pulled a thigh muscle for weeks earlier, replaced Sammy who had decided to rest in order to give himself a chance to cover completely from his leg injury suffered a few weeks earlier.
Town looked to have won the game near the end when inside left W Price passed to Dean and he smashed the ball home, but was offside. Rovers' keeper Newball took the individual honour making many superb saves.
Town - Dixon, Williams, Deakin, Woolley, Hollis, Clarke, Presscott, Barton, Dean, W Price, E Price.
Rovers - Newball, McGuire, Cook, Cashmore, Bridgett, Walker, Allen, Haines, Sketchley, Duggins, Smith.
