UniBond League Division One
Victoria Pleasure Grounds, Goole, East Yorkshire
Saturday, 21st April 2007, 3.00pm
Goole complete the double
Gresley manager Gary Norton added reserve team player James Manley as his injury crisis failed to ease for their trip to Goole.
Manley joined Karl Brown and assistant manager Mick Curry on the bench while Nick Hawkins returned for a start as did Oli Olanipekun who came in for Patrick Bannister.
Central defenders Barry Woolley (hamstring) skipper Colin Hoyle (foot) and Dan Douglas (thigh) were still missing.
On a rock hard surface it was Rovers who made the first chance after just nine minutes. Hawkins sent over a cross that was a fraction too high for Russell Courtney.
Eight minutes later Paul Edwards turned his marker but his shot just cleared bar.
It was the home side that opened the scoring on 19 minutes. A throw in found Steve Rollinson who in turn found Martin Thacker. Thacker's shot was a beauty leaving Rovers keeper Tom Allan helpless as the ball flew into net.
Goole should have doubled their advantage on 27 minutes when Andy Parton got the better of Rovers defender Chris Mawbey before hitting a low shot that Allan saved at his near post.
However, five minutes later they did increase their lead. James McDaid was set up by Rollinson's pass and the Rovers defence failed to close him down and he smashed a long-range shot that rattled into the top corner with Allan again helpless.
Rovers didn't let their heads drop and pulled a goal back just minute later when Edwards made a good run down the right. His cross was not cleared and Chris Archer was waiting to knock the ball home.
A point looked a possibility when Rovers equalised just before the break. A poor clearance by home defender Lee Harper allowed Olanipekun to beat Craig Robinson down the right before hitting a shot past the on-rushing Goole keeper Chris Hill.
Goole pushed for victory in the second period and were soon putting Allan to the test on 50 minutes. A free kick by Thacker was met by Rollinson whose first time screamer was superbly pushed away at the near post for a corner.
Minutes later Olanipekun went close for Rovers but his long-range shot went just the wrong side of the upright.
Goole came back with a vengeance with chances from Brad Hill, McDaid and Thacker all going close.
Allan again came to the rescue on 64 minutes when he saved a shot from Parton at the second attempt.
Rovers looked to be heading for an unlikely share of the points until an own goal virtually settle the game.
On 79 minutes Parton managed to get around Mawbey before sending over a cross the Rovers defender Tom Groves inexplicably volleyed into his own net from the edge of the box.
Olanipekun had a half chance to get Rovers back on terms when Archer put him through. Goole's keeper came rushing out to block the shot and looked to have handled the ball just outside his area. The referee Mr Reeves decided Hill had not transgressed and allowed play to continue.
With Rovers looking very weary the home side grabbed a fourth in time added on when Courtney tried to deny Parton but unluckily he pushed the ball to Danny Buttle who placed his shot past Allan.
Manager's View
"Having got ourselves a lifeline by getting back on level terms, we threw it away in the second half.
"We have just not performed. We didn't get tight enough in midfield and we did not hit their heights in terms of effort. I am disappointed, but we did not get going.
"The pleasing factor was getting back on level terms having gone two-nil down and that should have given us some encouragement."
