Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Atherstone United
Lacklustre Rovers hand the points to the Adders
Alan
Titterton was left with a selection headache as his squad had been reduced to
the bare bones. Fairbrother and Coates had gone to Ilkeston, Chris Gray was
suspended, Stuart Evans and Barry Woolley both injured and Andy Cheetham was
not 100 per cent fit.
James Lewsley was called in at left back with Lee Withers, Matt Moran and Paul
Grosse on the bench.
Gresley started the game pushing forward and on 3 minutes had the chance of
taking an early lead. Skipper Richard Wardle sent Andy Bourne on a run towards
the Adders box and it took a superb tackle by Andy Marlowe to deny him at least
a shot at goal.
On eight minutes Atherstone took the lead. Again some indecisive Gresley defending
allowed Romi Cammock to nip in between Wardle and Ian Bluck to find the space
to control a Joe Hanney cross and pick his spot past James Lindley.
On 12 minutes Adders keeper Dale Belford was called into action to push a Simon
Tucker shot round the post.
Gresley were filing to get their passes together and seemed to be constantly
putting the ball out of play.
On 35 minutes Tucker skipped around two close Atherstone markers and played
a good ball through to Mark Peters.
Peters sent a through ball to Bourne but with Belford charging off his line
to close him down fired wide.
On
43 minutes Tucker was again involved in a Gresley attack when he managed to
get away from a defender and fired a Bluck free kick over the bar.
Just after the break Atherstone should have doubled their lead. A free kick
taken by Belford found Kevin Charley in the Gresley area and the lively striker
hit a shot on the turn that was a whisker wide of the post.
Two minutes later Charley had perhaps the easiest chance of the match. Cheetham
had lost possession deep in his own half and Cammock passed to Charley but he
somehow scuffed his shot and allowed Lindley to dive on the ball before it crossed
the line.
Gresley began to apply more pressure and Bourne was unlucky as he dragged his
shot wide with Belford scrambling to get back.
The impressive Withers came too the rescue twice when he made a superb tackle
on Charley and then blocked a Ross Genner shot that looked goal bound.
Within minutes Gresley were attacking at the other end and Bourne put Chris
White through and looked certain to have scored but his shot went agonisingly
wide with Belford beaten much to the disappointment of the home fans.
On
71 minutes Titterton decided to replace Bourne, who had looked the most dangerous
Gresley front runner, with Matt Moran. And for the remainder of the game Moran
hardly touched the ball and failed to get into the match looking very lethargic.
On 80 minutes Atherstone looked like they were going to wrap up the points
but Charley fired straight at Lindley with the goal at his mercy.
Tucker had one last chance to salvage a point for Gresley but his shot was
palmed away by Belford.
Although the referee played a substantial amount of extra time due to an injury
to an Adders player Gresley could not take advantage and to be honest if they
had played for another 90 minutes they still would not have scored.
This was, as Titterton had said, the worst display by a Gresley team all season
and if they want the crowds to be of a similar size or more they must produce
a more determined and committed performance than they did against Atherstone.
"I'm not happy that was one of the worse performances in a Gresley Rovers shirt this season.
"The ball was like a hot potato from the word go and the bounce of the ball caused us problems because we couldn't get it under control. We didn't want to work as a team and the all of the players admit they were awful today.
"Atherstone,
however, were full of running and caused us a lot of problems and we gave away
a silly goal again.
"James Lindley pulled off a fantastic save in the second half but we had at least five good chances but we couldn't put one away. Chris White was put through but shot wide. Chris Parkins chose to shoot, which he blasted over, when the better ball would have been across the goalmouth.
"We just weren’t on song and I don't think it would have mattered who was manager today it just wasn't going to be. It wasn't our day today.
"I must say that I don't think we were beaten by a better side but credit to them they got the goal and hung on to it.
"We just didn't seem to control the ball everybody just seemed to be whacking the ball to each other and letting it go out.
"On the plus side I thought James Lewsley had a good game. Andy Cheetham was not fully fit but chose to play
"Mark Peters has injured his knee and is now doubtful for Monday. I've signed Owen James from Loughborough University who is a centre back as cover for Stuart Evans and Barry Woolley and he should be OK to play Monday if necessary. He wasn't available for today's match.
"The squad for Monday will be the same as today with the addition of Owen James because I can't see Stuart or Barry declaring themselves fit and it would be silly for them to play on Monday when they have another week to get over their injuries.
"The forwards just didn’t seem to get hold of the ball. Whether that was because they didn't get the service I don't know. As soon as they scored I knew we weren’t going to get back into the game. I'm not very happy. We didn't play well right through the team. I took Andy Bourne off and brought Matt Moran on to freshen things up but I don't think Matt touched the ball more than once when he came on.
"I feel sorry for the supporters. Today's attendance of 460 must be one of our highest gates of the season. The supporters have rallied round and shown their faith in the club and it was up to us to give a good performance and I'm awfully sorry we didn't do it."
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Atherstone United (1) 1
Scorer: Cammock 8.
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Bluck, Cheetham, Peters (Withers 57), Wardle,
Callan, Bourne (Moran), Tucker, White, Parkins, Lewsley. Sub not used: Grosse.
Atherstone United: Belford, Marlowe, Macmillan, Blair, Rutherford, Hanney,
Martin (Smith 82), Genner (Newlands 75), Charley, Cammock (Dowsling 90), Doughty.
Rovers
Star Man: Richard Wardle - never stopped trying.
Referee: D Brockwell (Northampton).
Attendance: 460
