Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Atherstone United
Adders find a way past protective Sheils - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Gresley
Rovers' newest player was the hero and their most experienced the villain as
Atherstone United snatched a Dr Martens Western Division draw at the Moat Ground
on Saturday.
Leading from the second minute after Barry Woolley headed his first goal for
the club, Rovers hung on until the 83rd minute thanks in no small measure to
a superb goalkeeping display by 19-year-old Mark Sheils.
Just as it seemed the recent recruit from Redditch United was going to earn
the clean sheet he deserved on his home debut, however, a highly untypical error
from loan defender Michael Forsyth gifted Atherstone an equaliser.
No-one
could argue that Steve McKenzie's side were not good value for their share of
the spoils - indeed, without Sheils and a sound defensive display, particularly
from the towering figure of Woolley, the Adders would have won at a canter.
However, even the diehard Atherstone supporters must have felt a twinge of
sympathy for the youngster.
Sheils may have felt similar emotions towards opposite number Dale Belford
as Rovers went ahead, Woolley meeting Mark Peters' corner with a looping far
post header that somehow eluded the veteran before creeping into the net.
Belford, though, was soon showing his quality, producing tip-over saves to
twice keep out headers from Neil Kitching.
United,
with Anton Thomas a constant threat, had their moments but on the one first
half occasion they found a way past the safe hands of Sheils Richard Gardner
was on hand to block Leon Kelly's close-range header.
Rovers, perhaps feeling the effects of their trip to Tiverton on Thursday,
looked weary in the second half and Atherstone's threat grew, Sheils producing
a magnificent save as he diverted Thomas' thumping six-yard header onto a post
from substitute Ian Purvey's cross.
Neil Broadhurst shot disappointingly straight at Belford when sent clear by
Steve Coates and David Donaldson was only inches of the target with a scorching
angled drive following Richard Wardle's cross.
At the other end, Sheils produced another fine save, this time at the feet
of Kelly, then somehow managed to divert the ball away from Dominic Reece after
the full back had run clear.
With
seven minutes left, however, Atherstone drew level thanks to the determination
of Thomas. The much travelled striker hounded Coates back into his own half,
won the ball and sent a raking pass goal wards. Forsyth was perfectly placed
to clear but unaccountably allowed the ball to go under his feet and Kelly lofted
an 18-yard shot that even Sheils was powerless to keep out of the net.
Atherstone looked favourites to snatch a win after that but Rovers battled
grimly for a point from a game that featured five bookings - all for dissent.
Gresley Rovers (1) 1
Atherstone United (0) 1
Scorers: Woolley 2 (Gresley Rovers), Kelly 83 (Atherstone United).
Gresley Rovers: Sheils, Verity, Gardner, Donaldson, Woolley, Forsyth,
Broadhurst, Peters (Wardle 45), Kitching (Sangha 80), Tucker, Coates. Sub not
used: Middleton.
Atherstone United: Belford, Middleton, Reece, Blair, Higgs, Hart (Skitt
86), Martin, Doughty (Marlowe 62), Kelly, Thomas, Dawe (Purvey 60).
Rovers
Star Man: Mark Sheils - safe hands and excellent saves.
Referee: S Flanagan (Wednesfield).
Attendance: 378
