UniBond League Division One
The Hawthorns, Brigg
Wednesday, 26th October 2005, 7.45pm
A Brigg too far!
Gresley Rovers could have headed the UniBond Division One league table but missed out when they went down 2-1 at Brigg Town.
The visitors started brightly and forced three corners in the opening five minutes. Allan Davies then had a half chance but put his shot straight at Damien Steer the home keeper and then Gary White's long-range shot went well over.
On 14 minutes David Holmes had a glorious opportunity to give his side the lead but after a good exchange of passes with Jamie Barrett he scuffed his shot wide of the far post.
Gresley's continued to make chances and on 17 minutes Andy Simpson put a header fractionally over from White's corner.
Danny Hope was on hand to deny Holmes who was waiting to pounce on Chris Gray's cross but the defender just managed to hook the ball to safety.
The home side's first attack of not came on 25 minutes but Gavin Bassinder could only put his shot wide.
Brigg took the lead, against the run of play, four minutes later. Mickey Lyons lost possession deep in his own half, which let in Ross Thompson, his shot took a deflection off Paul Wardle before dropping to nicely for Dave Betts in acres of space at the far post who then put his shot past Gresley keeper James Pemberton and into the net.
At half time Gresley were unfortunate to go in for the break one down but, the second half was shaded by the Zebras.
Within a minute of the start of the second period Brigg should have doubled their advantage but Ross Thompson managed to put his shot wide when very well placed.
It was a let-off for Gresley and they got themselves back on level terms shortly afterwards. A woeful back header on 51 minutes from Hope allowed Holmes to collect the ball, look up and seeing Steer in no-mans land beat the keeper with a perfect lob for his first League goal of the season.
Nathan Tate then had a chance when Steer seemed to fumble White's free kick. Tate reacted quickly but aimed his header straight back to the keeper.
Gresley's goal seem to spark the Brigg side into life and they soon regained the lead. On 63 minutes a quick break allowed Bassinder to get the better of Davies before beating Pemberton with a low shot into the far corner.
Andy Simpson then prevented Bassinder another goal when he cleared the shot off the line.
On 66 minutes manager Gary Norton introduced Eric Graves into the action taking off Paul Wardle. Minutes later and with Gresley committed to attack, Steve Howsham was in on goal but Pemberton made a fine block with his legs.
Gresley were being pegged back by Brigg but had another chance when Simpson connected with White's free kick but his shot went wide.
However, it was the home side that finished on top and could have put the game completely out of Gresley's reach but Pemberton pulled off two saves first from Bassinder and then a spectacular finger-tip save to push Thompson's shot past the post.
