Atherstone United vs Gresley Rovers
Adders bite – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
The harsh realities of life in the Beazer Premier Division presented themselves in the space of seven first half minutes at Sheepy Road last night.
The high-flying Adders struck with all the venom of vipers lying in wait to sting the life out of Gresley’s unbeaten run in a display that highlighted the objectives of both managers.
Rovers boss Steve Dolby confessed afterwards that he had set out to keep a clean sheet and would have been happy with a 0-0 draw, while United boss Mick Brookes, writing in the match programme, stressed: “We must defend well at all times and keep the goal intact.”
And as Rovers trooped disconsolately away from their first defeat of the season the difference between the two sides was as plain as that. Atherstone, albeit assisted by the run of the ball on occasions, had defended superbly well. Gresley had not.
The Adders were sent on their way by a sublime strike from Steve Campbell. Rovers, who had attacked themselves in the third minute when Mark Hurst’s cross flew past an empty goalmouth with no-one available to get a decisive touch, were dispossessed in midfield and, as United broke like lightning, Mick Thurman’s through ball gave Campbell space on the right of the box to lift an audacious shot over Bob Aston and in to the far corner of the net.
But if no Gresley defender could be handed the blame for that one the Adders’ second goal on 14 minutes was pure slapstick.
Stuart Evans’ backpass gave Aston little option but to try and hoof the ball upfield as a posse of attackers bore down on goal, but instead the keeper’s kick rebounded off Nick Stanborough’s heel to Matthew Wallace who had time to autograph the ball before slamming it into the net.
Rovers were rightly bewildered for hitherto they had enjoyed more possession than their hosts, although their first attempt of the half did not arrive until Denby curled a free kick inches wide.
Gresley began the second half like a team determined to do itself justice and when Osborne flicked on Wardle’s cross Tony Marsden got a glimpse of goal only to be blocked out by a defender. From Denby’s corner, Stanborough headed against the bar and the ball ran right across the face of a gaping goal with no-one able to touch it over the line.
Osborne connected well with a Denby free kick but the ball flew wide. Just as it seemed a goal might arrive one did – at the opposite end. Substitute Danny Donovan’s first contribution was to race clear onto Nick Whitehurst’s defence-destroying flick and when Aston parried his shot Nick Fry was left with an empty net.
Atherstone United (2) 3
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Scorers: Campbell 7, Wallace 14, Fry 73.
Atherstone United: Williams, Wileman, Upton, Thurman, Jackson, Randle, Knight (Donovan 72), Wallace (Hibbert 80), Campbell, Fry, Whitehurst.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Dick, Elliott (Swainston 78), Denby, Evans, Stanborough, Wardle, Marsden, Osborne, Taplin (Weston 68), Hurst.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Richard Denby.
Referee: R F Jeavons (Coseley).
Attendance: 805
