Gresley Rovers vs Matlock Town
Andy's revenge - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Andy Simpson returned to haunt his former boss at the Moat Ground
on Saturday. The lanky midfielder was shown the Eaton Park door when Kenning
was Burton Albion manager then found himself quickly on his way out after the
Rovers boss began his reign at the Moat. But Simpson quickly put the FA cup
skids under Kenning's current charges when he headed Matlock ahead just 12 minutes
of Saturday's preliminary round tie.
The goal shook Rovers to such a degree that they went on to produce
what was universally agreed to be one of the worst displays at the Moat Ground
in recent history, with Kenning's team hugely fortunate to earn a replay thanks
to Kevin Allsop's second half equaliser.
What doubled the disappointment of Rovers fans was that this was
a game made for their team to win. Matlock have made the worst possible start
to their Unibond Division One campaign with four straight defeats but they quickly
proved on Saturday that they were no lambs for the slaughter. And when the Rovers
defence failed to pick up Simpson's near post run as Nick Tilly curled in a
left wing corner the midfielder climbed to slant home a typical headed goal.
wing corner the midfielder climbed to slant home a typical headed
goal. Rovers needed a quick response but failed to find one, their best chance
coming when Ian Wright's long free kick eluded dithering defender and vacillating
attacker alike to leave Mick Sandar clear only for the young striker to be foiled
by a last gasp tackle from another ex-Moatman, defender Will Davies.
Indeed, it was Matlock who looked far likelier to add to the score
with Rovers having Wright's saves and the inaccuracy of the visiting forwards
to thank for remaining in the game. First Kingsley Paul skated past Ian Bluck
to set up Steve Taylor with an eight-yard chance that Carl Middleton blocked
superbly on the line. Then Davies' through ball sent Ruben Francis streaking
clear with Bluck trailing in his wake only for the former Burton and Rocester
striker to pull his shot wide as Wright advanced from his line.
Francis was then given the time and space to fire in a 30-yard
effort that Wright tipped over his crossbar before midfielder Mark Shaw was
inches too high with a shot from similar range, Wright this time looking beaten.
Rovers were having a dreadful time with even normally consistent
performers like Bluck and skipper Richard Wardle looking well out of sorts.
It got no better after the break with Matlock making and missing three early
chances to take the tie beyond their hosts. As sometimes happens for teams for
whom nothing is going right, however, Rovers then equalised out of the blue.
Matt Warren met Mark Peters' right wing corner with a far post
volley and when the ball rebounded off a defender Allsop turned neatly to drill
in the loose ball.
Allsop then had the chance to cover himself in glory when Matt
Boyles' through ball put him clear of a dozing Matlock defence but the striker
this time fired high over the bar. It was Matlock who went closest to dissipating
the need for a replay as the game reached its dying moments, Shaw latching onto
Taylor's pass to fire in a thumping shot from the edge of the box that Warren
diverted from its trajectory towards the back of the net with a brave block.
Matlock Town (1) 1
Scorers: Allsop 57 (Gresley Rovers); Simpson 12 (Matlock Town)
Gresley Rovers: Wright, Doughty (Thornhill 84), Wardle,
Bluck, Warren, Middleton (Roberts 96), Peters, Coates, Allsop, Sandar (Reynolds
82), Boyles. Subs not used: Jenkinson, Selby
Matlock Town: Samways, Jones, Holmshaw, Shaw, McNichols,
Davies, Tily, Paul, Taylor, Francis (Wainman 82), Simpson. Subs not used: Lukic,
Banks, Sheldon.
Referee: D P Morrison (Littleover)
Attendance: 320
