Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Bloxwich United
Rovers grab a point
Just
before the start of the game the match referee ordered the remarking of the
line as a torrential downpour had washed them away.
John McGinlay was without five of his first team regulars through injury and
in Chris Gray's case because he had become a father he was given the night off.
Barry Woolley took the captains armband and was joined in the centre back position
by Carl Middleton with new loan signing Nick Kennerdale making his debut.
For the first few minutes it was Bloxwich that made the running with Ricky
Otto, the former Birmingham City winger, coming close after a swift breakaway
and Grant Beckett's cross headed straight to keeper James Lindley by John Quilt.
On 9 minutes Gresley had the first of two very good chances. New boy Kennerdale's
cross found Chris Parkins unmarked and somehow his shot failed to find the back
of the net to the amazement of the fans who had braved the terrible weather.
Then on 23 minutes Mark Peters took a free kick that was nodded on by Kennerdale
and Woolley's touch found the upright and was cleared by the defence.
A debut goal for Kennerdale looked certain when he took the ball off a hesitant
Bloxwich defender ran into the box but shot tamely at the keeper.
Quilt then found space just outside the Rovers' box and it took a last ditch
tackle by Woolley to prevent him, at least, from testing Lindley.
It was the captain again, this time at the other end, who threatened the visitors
goal by putting a header into the box from a Bedward cross which Kennerdale
just failed to connect with.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring on 44 minutes when Lee Ross powered
a superb looping header that gave Lindley no chance, into the net after good
work from Beckett.
On 51 minutes Rovers were given an advantage when Jason Owen cynically brought
down Chris Parkins who was clean through on goal. The referee could do no more
than to show the deserved red card. Unfortunately for Gresley the foul was just
outside the box and the resultant free kick was wasted.
Gresley could not make the extra man count and the players seemed to become
more frustrated as the game went on.
The visitor's keeper, Bate, did well to save, down low to his right, a crisp
35-yard shot by Lee Westwood.
The busy Kennerdale almost latched on to a through ball by Westwood and Parkins
pulled a shot wide from a Matt Moran cross.
Wooley again headed another free kick floated into the box by Bedward across
the goal.
Then on 79 minutes Gresley got what was probably a deserved break. This time
the unfortunate Philip Male could only direct the ball into the net from an
Andy Cheetham left wing cross when under no pressure.
On balance the result was a fair one with neither side showing their full potential
on a night best forgotten both for the football and the weather.
The Manager's view of the game.
"At the moment nothing is going in. As last Saturday at Stourport we created
chances that were not put away.
If we had put the two goal chances away in the first half things would have
been easier. It would have put pressure on them being two down.
But they scored a terrific header and then when they went down to ten men they
pulled everyone back and packed the defence.
Our new striker Nicky played quite well had some good touches but he is a little
short of match fitness.
With Nicky being a big lad I think we played too direct at times putting the
ball through to him.
At half time I asked the lads to show a bit of character and I think they showed
it.
When Bloxwich went down to ten men I decided to wait and see what they did
before changing things. I then decided to bring on another striker. Matt Moran
had run his legs off with nothing to show for it.
We were missing four important players tonight such as Alex Green and we were
down to the bare bones. We even had to ring Lonergan at work to see if he could
play tonight!
It was important that the team showed they could come back after going one
down.
But Saturday's match is a different ball game. It's a massive game for both
sides both financially and for confidence.
Hopefully Gray, Evans and possibly Green will be available for Saturday's match
against Redditch."
Bloxwich United:(1) 1
Scorers: Male(og) 79 (Gresley Rovers); Ross 44(Bloxwich United).
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Bluck, Cheetham, Westwood, Woolley, Middleton,
Moran (Lonergan 70), Peters, Kennerdale, Parkins (Jenkinson 90), Bedward (Hanson
70).
Bloxwich United: Bate, Stevenson, Sage (Male 13), Newell, Owen, Harris,
Dunne, Otto, Quilt, Ross (Thompson 81), Beckett. Sub not used: Rowe.
Rovers
Star Man: Barry Woolley - good in both boxes.
Referee: P Bartson (Loughborough).
Attendance: 267
