Gresley Rovers vs Evesham United
Rovers feel the bite of top dogs
Evesham showed all the qualities of a side well equipped to mount
a serious promotion challenge.
But it was an all-too-familiar combination of missed chances and
sloppy defending that cost Gresley their unbeaten record as their Worcestershire
visitors climbed to the top of the table.
Visiting keeper Damian Beattie, who arrived late after being involved
in a road accident, soon showed that the incident hadn't upset him by racing
out of his area to clear from Matt Boyles before going full stretch to fingertip
away Mark Peters' probing cross.
Boyles was involved in the incident that led to Evesham taking
a 24th minute lead. The Gresley midfielder appeared to be fouled by Steve Taylor
before the Evesham skipper released Dean Roberts, who scored with ease as the
Gresley defence failed to react. Presumably they were still awaiting the award
of a free kick.
In their best phase of the game Rovers might easily have scored
three times in a 10-minute spell just before the interval.
Two goal line clearances by Darren Rogers proved crucial to deny
first Dave King and then Kevin Allsop.
In between, Mark Peters picked himself up after Taylor's trip
to drill in a free kick that was deflected onto a post by Jay Powell.
Within 60seconds of the second half starting Gresley fell further
into arrears. Matt Warren failed to clear and Ian Wright was poorly positioned
as Sam Bowen chipped him from 20 yards.
Boyle's second goal in successive games threw Gresley a 54th minute
lifeline when he converted a close range header after Neil Broadhurst's cross
had looped up off Matt Pendleton.
A goal bound Peters shot was deflected for a corner by Powell
before Beattie saved well from Steve Coates.
Wright made his best save of the game to deny Preedy in the 76th
minute, but was beaten three minutes later as Bowen netted from close-in after
Powell had helped on Rogers free kick.
Twice in the final five minutes Rovers threatened to produce a
grandstand finale. Mick Sandar headed Broadhurst's cross wide at the far post
before King linked well with Boyles, who was only denied his second goal of
the game by a superb reflex save by the flamboyant Beattie.
Gresley Rovers (0) 1
Evesham United (1) 3
Scorers: Boyles 54 (Gresley Rovers); Roberts 24, Bowen 46, 79 (Evesham United).
Gresley Rovers: Wright, Broadhurst, Wardle, Bluck, Warren, Middleton, Peters, Coates, Allsop (Sandar 63),King, Boyles. Subs not used: Reynolds and Doughty.
Evesham United: Beattie, Smith, Pendleton, Rogers, Powell, Taylor, Wolsey, McCartan, Bowen, Roberts, Preedy (Licata 77). Subs not used: Brown, Parmenter.
Referee: A C Turner (Market Harborough)
Attendance: 344
