UniBond League Division One
Irongate Ground, Bamber Bridge
Saturday, 26th August 2006, 3.00pm
Bamber Bridge blast sorry Moatmen
After a good opening spell Gresley Rovers conceded a goal from a set piece, the first of three, on 30 minutes and never looked like getting back into the game after that.
Gresley had the far better chances in the first half hour and could have taken the lead after just two minutes when Paul Edwards fired a shot past the post.
Edwards went close again on 9 minutes when he lifted a shot over the bar from David Holmes' cross.
On 23 minutes Carl Slater managed to win the ball in his own half and put a pass through to Edwards. Edwards's cross found Steve Gomm but the touch was not enough to beat Graham Bennett in the home goal.
Just before the half-hour mark Bridge should have opened the scoring when Greg Brickell shook off Colin Hoyle before shooting. Gresley keeper Tommy Whittle did extremely well to tip the goalbound shot wide.
The home side didn't have long to wait to take the lead. On 30 minutes a corner from Tom Ince found Jamie Squire at the far post who headed the ball back into the danger area where David Woodruff was waiting to put his header towards goal. Whittle did well to prevent the ball from crossing the line but could nothing to stop Woodruff from pushing home the rebound.
Things got worse for the Moatmen just three minutes later again from another set piece. Bridge were awarded a free kick just inside their own half and Ross Bain found Alex Porter who beat Dan Douglas before sending over a fine cross to Bickell who made no mistake with his header.
Gresley were in a mess and their defending looked very shaky indeed and it was breeched again just for the break. Yet another set piece was their undoing this time a corner from Ince that found the totally unmarked Woodruff at the near post - his header comfortably beat Whittle.
Whatever assistant manager Mick Curry said in the half time break seemed to have some effect but Gresley had left themselves a mountain to climb.
On 47 minutes Gomm had a glorious chance to grab a goal back but shot wide after collecting Jamie Barrett's cross.
Bridge went close to extending their lead on 53 minutes but Whittle denied Bickell by blocking his far post header.
A minute later Gresley got a consolation goal when Matt Millns powered home his header at the near post that left Bennett helpless.
Gresley were getting more and more frustrated as they tried to break down a stubborn home defence with no effect.
Bridge wrapped up the points on 64 minutes and unfortunately it was as a result of another handling mistake by Whittle. A cross by Porter from the left looked fairly easy for the Gresley keeper but he let the ball drop and Bickell was able to knock home the ball.
The visitors were chasing a forlorn hope but that didn't stop them having one last chance to reduce the arrears.
On 77 minutes a fine ball from Barrett sent Holmes on his way down the right. His cross found substitute Tom Betteridge at the far post who controlled the ball with his chest before seeing his shot blocked by Bennett.
Manager's View
Tony Hemmings gives his verdict.
"The fourth goal came from a mistake by Tom, but he is by far the best keeper in this league. He has made a couple of errors, but everyone makes mistakes in football.
"I thought we were absolutely fantastic for the first 20 minutes and missed three open goals before they scored. However, then we gave three goals away and it was disappointing as they came from individual errors.
"The second half was a lot better and we threatened a lot more. We got a goal back but to be quite honest, we had a mountain to climb. The good thing was that we got the reaction in the second half that we wanted.
"We had about five good chances during the game and we have not taken them and they had taken theirs.
"I feel sorry for the boys - I feel totally gutted to be honest. The disappointing thing is we gave them four goals - they are no way better than us."
