Solihull Borough vs Gresley Rovers
Knight slays brave Rovers - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers came close to picking up a point at Solihull Borough's temporary
Redditch home last night in a game that far exceeded expectations in terms of
entertainment.
The Moatmen looked to be heading for a hiding as Solihull dominated the opening
stages but succeeded in turning the game around after the break to leave their
high-riding hosts relieved to hear the final whistle.
Player-boss John McGinlay made a successful return to action as a second half
substitute and Rovers came out of the encounter with much to build on for the
season's few remaining games.
Rovers were penned back into their own half in the opening stages with the
home side close to taking the lead with only four minutes gone as striker Brian
Gray rounded Andy Cheetham only to shave the outside of the far post with a
low cross-shot from the right.
Striker Chris Smith saw a close-range effort disallowed for handball but after
16 minutes the home side produced what was to prove the deciding goal in disappointing
circumstances for Rovers' point of view.
Cheetham wastefully conceded a right wing corner and when Crain Dutton flighted
the ball into the Gresley six-yard box defender Gary Knight arrived unmarked
to head home easily from close range.
The writing seemed to be on the wall when Smith's header was fortuitously blocked
by Barry Woolley after Rovers had been opened up on the left by Simon Hollis
with the Moatmen's only reply a Steve Coates free kick that flew a good five
yards over the bar.
It was not until the final minute of the half that the visitors finally managed
a shot on target, Paul Grant seeing a low shot easily held by Brendan Murphy
after good work by Richard Gardner.
Rovers' fans had cause to be apprehensive as the second half began but their
team were to exceed expectations.
Although Solihull continued to dominate possession the best they could muster
by way of a threat was a header from Nick Amos that passed well outside the
frame os Mark Sheils' goal.
Seeing the opportunity to steal a point, McGinlay chose to push Woolley into
the forward line for the closing stages and the game was transformed.
Skipper Richard Wardle was inches from an equaliser with a 25-yard shot that
crept just over the bar after Neil Kitching had created the opening with a neat
lay-off.
Rovers' best chance though, came with 10 minutes remaining. Wardle won the
ball well in midfield and released Mark Peters into a one-on-one with Brendan
Murphy but the home keeper produced an excellent save to keep out the midfielder's
low shot from 16 yards.
Solihull Borough (1) 1
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Scorer: Knight 15
Solihull Borough: Murphy, Dodd, Pippard (Lovelock 71), Healy (Beale
46), Pearce, Knight, Hollis, Smith, Gray, Amos, Dutton. Sub not used: Rowe.
Gresley Rovers: Sheils, Roberts, Cheetham, Gardner (Middleton 68), Woolley,
Forsyth (Warren 84), Wardle, Peters, Kitching (Middleton 68), Grant (McGinlay
75), Coates.
Rovers
Star Man: Steve Coates - created and destroyed.
Referee: H Singh (West Bromwich).
Attendance: 71
