Gresley Rovers vs Shepshed Dynamo
Simon tucks into just deserts - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Teenaged striker Simon Tucker gave Gresley Rovers and their fans
a triple tonic as his hat trick destroyed Shepshed Dynamo at the Moat Ground
on Saturday.
The 19-year-old took his goals tally to five in four games to
suggest that Moat boss Brian Kenning's long search for a frontrunner may have
been well worthwhile.
With a rejuvenated Kevin Allsop adding his powerful presence to
the equation Rovers now have the makings of a useful strike partnership, as
Shepshed found to their cost.
There was a big element of fortune about Tucker's opener which
came midway through a half dominated by the visitors.
But Rovers emerged for the start of the second period looking
a different side and, as Shepshed fell away badly, the Moatmen ended up well
worthy of their third win in four outings.
They reckon strikers don't care how they score as long as the
ball ends up in the net and that was certainly the case for Tucker with his
21st-minute opener.
Richard Wardle, excellent in midfield, was the creator, snapping
up possession 30-yards out as attacker and defender alike tried and failed to
control the ball and bursting into the area.
The Rovers skipper then looked to set up Allsop with a square
pass across the box but when the striker fluffed his shot the ball ran to Neil
Broadhurst whose thumping effort appeared to be on its way into the net until
it struck Tucker on the side of the head and deflected in from close range.
Rovers might then have had more goals with Tucker miscuing after
battling his way into a scoring position and Richard Gardner volleying Allsop's
cross just past the top corner.
Shepshed, though, continued to look the better side and deserved
their 36th-minute equaliser even though the goal left another question mark
over the head of keeper Ian Wright.
Rovers failed to clear a right wing corner effectively and when
Lee Quincy crossed back into the box Wright was caught in no man's land as Andy
Davies headed home unmarked.
Gresley looked to be facing another arduous afternoon but it became
plain sailing after the break as the Moatmen stepped up their workrate and Shepshed
lost their shape and composure.
Broadhurst was inches from restoring the lead after Allsop had
skilfully headed down Matt Warren's free kick but the Moat crowd was not left
waiting for long, Steve Coates playing the ball through the middle into Tucker's
path and the striker instinctively hooking home a first time shot from 15-yards
with Dynamo keeper Paul Shepherd exposed.
Mark Peters curled a measured effort just past the top corner
and Gardner, set up by Tucker, saw a low shot saved as Rovers took control.
Tucker was denied his hat-trick by another good save but, with
the game entering added time, made sure he would go home with the match ball
as a clearance was headed back by Warren to leave the youngster clear to lob
Shepherd as he advanced from his line.
Gresley Rovers (1) 3
Shepshed Dynamo (1) 1
Scorers: Tucker 21, 54, 90 (Gresley Rovers); Davies 36 (Shepshed Dynamo).
Gresley Rovers: Wright, Broadhurst, Gardner, Doughty, Warren,
Bluck, Wardle, Coates (Roberts 92), Allsop, Tucker, Peters (Reynolds 88), Sub
not used: Sandar.
Shepshed Dynamo: Shepherd, Brown, Commander (McDermott
74), Cox, Saunders, Davies, Quincey, McLamon (Folwell 83), Budge (Gough 72),
McGlinchey, Bah.
Referee: S Bratt (Brownhills)
Attendance: 340
