Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Congleton Town
Rovers finish with a win
Gresley
Rovers could have scored twice in the opening few minutes in this final pre-season
friendly against the side which knocked Gresley Rovers out of the FA Umbro Trophy
last season.
Neil Kitching's shot was saved by Tim Mullock and shortly after David Shaw
side footed a Richard Wardle right wing cross straight at the Bears keeper.
Congleton then tested Rovers' keeper James Lindley who was forced to back-peddle
and grab a Jimmy Byrnes' lob and then blocking a shot by Nick Boothby after
a slip by defender Carl Middleton.
The visiting keeper was called on again to deny both Chris Gray and Kitching;
however, there was absolutely nothing he could do when Kitching's determined
run ended with a fine goal on 24 minutes.
Bears
substitute Anthony Bowers fired a shot well over from 18 yards and then Chris
Royle hammered a fine shot that Lindley turned round his post.
The best move of the night deservedly ended with a goal. Gray put into the
area a superb cross that Kevin Allsop smashed into the net from close range.
Congleton grabbed a consolation goal with only a few minutes remaining.
John McGinlay's side for this match will not be the one that will start against
Halesowen Town in Rovers' first Dr Martens league match but McGinlay said there
were a lot of positive things to come out of the game. Both Kitching and Allsop
showed they would be pushing for first team places and teenagers Jon Jenkinson
and Matt Moran showed some neat touches.
There
was one injury during the match. McGinlay only lasted seven minutes before limping
off with a calf problem
Congleton Town (0) 1
Scorers: Kitching 24, Allsop 74 (Rovers), Band 87 (Congleton)
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Wardle, Middleton, Peters, Hautin, Woolley
(Kitching 84), Gray, McGinlay (Green 7, Moran 60), Kitching (Allsop 58), Shaw
(Jenkinson 58), Bedward.
Referee: R Gould (Newhall).
Attendance: 200
