UniBond League Division One
The Hawthorns, Hawthorn Avenue, Brigg
Saturday, 25th November 2006, 3.00pm
All square at The Hawthorns
Gresley Rovers got off to a superb start to their UniBond League game at The Hawthorns by going one up in double quick time.
The sound of the referee Mr Jones's whistle had hardly died away before David Blenkinsopp was slamming the ball into the net after Aaron O'Connor had supplied an inviting cross after beating Lee Cochrane down the right. The on-loan striker had the comfortable task of finishing off the move for his second goal in two starts.
Mark Smith then fired in a shot that was blocked by Dan Hope but unfortunately Shaun Rigway flowing up could only put his shot wide of the post.
Gresley keeper Tommy Whittle then produced a good save to deny Paul Grimes.
The home side then almost caught Brigg napping when Blenkinsopp capitalise on a mistake by Tom Spall but fired straight into the arms of home keeper Damian Steer.
Grimes, looking dangerous for the home side, again sent over a cross into the penalty area, which was eventually put out for a throw in. Grimes got the ball to John Borland, whose shot went over the bar.
The Zebras won a corner from the right and the ball fell to Borland after Whittle's punch had only partially cleared the danger, but the curled shot from the edge of the penalty area flew past the post.
Aaron O'Connor was a constant threat to the home side and he sent Smith down the left but the cross just evaded both O'Connor and Blenkinsopp charging in on goal.
The Zebras almost got the equaliser just before the interval when Matt Millns cleared Grimes shot off the line.
The home side started the second period brightly and went close again to levelling but this time it was the woodwork that saved the day again as Grimes' shot cannoned off the crossbar.
O'Connor was the provider again when he flew down the left flank before sending a cross to Blenkinsopp but the young striker put his shot just wide of the post. Blenkinsopp had another opportunity to increase the visitors' lead but he lifted his shot over the bar after another good run by Smith.
Brigg did get back on terms when Nicky Carter upended Simon Roach in the box and the referee had no option but to point to the spot and caution the Gresley defender. Roach himself took the spot kick beating Whittle.
Roach then almost provided the opening for the home side to take the lead when he put a pinpoint pass through for Karl Slack to fire in a shot but Whittle pulled off a top-notch save to deny him his moment of glory.
Gresley didn't give up and could easily have snatched a winner with a couple of late chances. A ball into the Brigg area was not cleared and O'Connor picked up the loose ball but fired just over from the edge of the penalty area. Defender Dan Douglas then set up Tom Groves but the shot went straight at Steer.
Carl Slater then tried one of his trademark long range efforts and was unlucky to see the ball fly just over the bar.
Manager's View
"We led the game for so long and had two or three opportunities to kill it off.
"But, we were up against a side who had some good results recently in beating both Eastwood and Stocksbridge.
"We might have had a penalty ourselves and Nicky could have stayed on his feet for longer before conceding the one that resulted in Brigg's equaliser.
"Once they levelled, we were forced to face an anxious final 20 minutes which four or five weeks ago could have seen us being beaten."
