Tiverton Town vs Gresley Rovers
Early goal puts skids under Rovers - Burton Mail
While no one could doubt the commitment of John McGinlay's team, there was
almost an air of inevitability about a contest between promotion-seeking Tiverton
and a vastly under strength Gresley side at Ladysmead last night.
Faced with a punishing schedule of five games in eight days, a combination
of unavailability and McGinlay's desire to rest key men saw only three players
who began the game against Cirencester on Tuesday make the starting line up
in Devon.
The last thing Rovers wanted was to give Tiverton some early encouragement,
but the worst possible scenario happened when it took the home side only five
minutes to breach Gresley's patched-up side.
When the Moatmen failed to clear Steve Daly's free kick on the left, Steve
Winter dutifully punished them for their shortcomings with a close-range finish.
Carl Middleton collected a 12th-minute booking for a foul on the lively Steve
Owens before debutant keeper Mark Shiels distinguished himself with a brave
save at the feet of Winter from Paul Chenoweth's resultant free-kick.
It took Gresley 20 minutes to give Tivvy keeper Paul Edwards his first touch
when he easily collected Paul Grant's cross.
Both Middleton and Dave Kearns gave Grant a glimpse of the target but, on each
occasion Edwards denied the Gresley striker on the edge of the box.
Former Blackburn Rovers defender Nicky Marker scored easily from the spot to
extend the home team's lead in the 34th minute following Jamie Roberts' challenge
on Dave Toomey.
Minutes later Shiels made another excellent block with his legs to deny top
scorer Phil Everett.
Gresley briefly threatened to make a game of it with Scott Rogers getting in
an important header to clear Kearns' free kick before Matt Warren could reach
the ball.
Then Mark Peters' left-wing corner found Roberts whose looping header drifted
just wide.
Sheils tipped over a fierce drive from Kevin Nancekevill, who had linked neatly
with Everett.
The almost inevitable third goal arrived on 57 minutes when Warren's attempted
clearance was pounced onto by Toomey who set up Ovens for a precise finish.
Neil Broadhurst, Steve Coates and Simon Tucker were all introduced midway through
the second half to give Rovers a much greater presence going forward.
Peters shot marginally over before making the chance for Tucker to force Edwards
into his most notable save in the closing stages.
Gresley's desire for a consolation goal caught them undermanned at the back
with substitute Pete Conning adding a fourth Tiverton goal in the final minute.
Tiverton Town (2) 4
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Scorers: Winter 5, Marker 34 (pen), Ovens 57, Conning 90.
Tiverton Town: Edwards, Winter, Saunders, Tatterton, Marker (Conning
66), Rogers, Nancekevill, Ovens (Pears 77), Toomey, Daly, Chenoweth (Everett
30).
Gresley Rovers: Sheils, Roberts, Kearns, Dennis (Broadhurst 65), Warren,
Middleton, Wardle, Peters, Bedward, Grant (Tucker 7), Bradshaw (Coates 65).
Rovers
Star Man: Mark Shiels - saves kept score line respectable.
Referee: M Gooding (Bristol)
Attendance: 541
