Hucknall Town vs Gresley Rovers
Rovers draw at Hucknall
Gresley Rovers produced what was their best first-half performance of the build
up to the new season with a well-earned draw at Unibond Premier Division side
Hucknall Town on Saturday.
New signing striker David Shaw opened his account with two headed goals in
a three-minute spell just before the half-time break.
Rovers dominated the first half with Alex Green and John Allcock impressive
in midfield.
Allcock, playing against his former club, almost gave Rovers the lead on eight
minutes but home keeper Dave McCarthy tipped his header over the bar.
More pressure resulted in Shaw's attempted chip dropping just over and another
Allcock header producing a panicked home clearance before Chris Gray could take
advantage.
On 36 minutes, Shaw took his chance when his downward header beat the home
keeper easily after an excellent cross from Shaun Bedward.
Hucknall drew level immediately from the kick off after a couple of chances
went begging before Dale Wright scored a simple tap-in.
Rovers regained the lead 90 seconds later when Greg Fee headed Green's right-wing
corner back towards his own goal, McCarthy saving the own goal but Shaw powered
a headed goal from close range.
On 58 minutes, Richard Wardle attempted a back pass, which was a little short
allowing Stuart Clarke to almost level the score, but the outstretched leg of
James Lindley prevented him.
The home side levelled things on 62 minutes when Andy Cheetham failed to close
down Danny Mayman who along with Gary Ricketts set up Lee McGlinchey who was
allowed to head into an empty net.
Making six substitutions in the second half upset Rovers fluency and they only
had two real chances to regain the lead with McCarthy denying Shaw of a well
earned hat trick and Kevin Allsop failing to react to an easy chance.
Rovers' keeper kept his team in the match with a good save from Mayman and
Fee could have wrapped things up for the home side on 89 minutes but fired his
shot over the bar.
Hucknall Town (1) 2
Gresley Rovers (2) 2
Goals: Wright 37, McGlinchey 62 (Hucknall): Shaw 36, 39 (Rovers)
Hucknall Town: McCarthy, Mayman, Clarke (Hollingsworth 81), Fee, Place,
Begley (Rankin 77), S Brown (Bignall 58), Wright, Ricketts, McGlinchey (Bailey
77), McLarnon.
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Bluck (A Brown 70), Cheetham, Allcock (Westwood
53), Hautin (Middleton 70), Woolley, Wardle, Green, Gray (Allsop 34)(McGinlay
77), Shaw (Gray 70), Bedward (Peters 56).
Referee: Ian Kirk (Stapleford).
Attendance: 100
