Mangotsfield United vs Gresley Rovers
Four on the trot
Gresley Rovers produced what was probably their best performance of the season
to date and extended their un-beaten run to four games and with it Mangotsfield
United's first defeat in 10 games.
Mangotsfield had had an impressive 4 -1 FA Cup replay victory over Dr Martens
Premier side Merthyr Tydfil in midweek and started the game on top with their
leading goal scorer Dave Seal missing clear chances during the first twenty
minutes.
On 14 minutes Gresley should have taken the lead, however, Barry Woolley's
headed goal was disallowed for an off side.
United's keeper then kept both Chris Parkins and Jake Fairbrother out. Another
good cross by Ford cleared Parkins and Fairbrother following up put his shot
only inches past the upright
On 34 minutes United missed a clear-cut chance when Gresley keeper produced
an excellent save from a Seal penalty. Andy Cheetham was thought to have held
back Rob Claridge as he tried to connect with a Seal cross. Seal took the spot
kick himself and James Lindley pulled off a brilliant save to his left to turn
the shot away
The save proved to be the turning point of the match as Gresley were spurred
on and they took control.
On 38 minutes Gresley took the lead admittedly against the run of play.
Loan signing Ryan Ford combined well with Parkins and Fairbrother who found
Chris Gray in space on the left with a pinpoint pass to create the opening for
the midfielder. Gray then steadied himself and fired home his second goal of
the season with sublime accuracy.
On 41 minutes with the home defence still in disarray, Richard Wardle's long
ball sent Parkins clear' beating the off side trap, to round the keeper before
steering the ball into the net.
Gresley were now easily in charge of the game and could have had the game finished
before the break. A defensive mix up between David Dyson and defender Lee Barlass
let Parkins steal the ball but the Gresley striker could only put his shot wide.
It was Gresley who gain took charge of the match at the start of the second
half and on 54 minutes they were forced to make a substitution. The injured
Parkins was replaced by Mark Peters who partnered the lively Andy Bourne up
front.
On 58 minutes Bourne thought he had scored a thoroughly deserved goal as he
chested the ball down and beat the diving Dyson with his shot only to have the
goal ruled out for offside.
On 65 minutes Bourne had another chance to finish the game off. After skipping
around two defenders in the box he waited too long to take his shot and the
danger was cleared.
The home keeper was called on again to deny both Peters and Woolley before
United reduced the arrears on 73 minutes through a Mark Summers' header.
A foul by Gray, on Dean Pendry, on the edge of the box was taken by Hadleigh
Winters. Summers got on the end of the cross and put the ball in the Rovers
net despite Lindley getting a hand to it.
It was now the home side that pressed for an equaliser with some fine defending
by Gresley denying them.
On 86 minutes Gresley thought they had won a penalty after Dyson cynically
brought down Fletcher in the box but the referee waved play on.
It was Fletcher again involved right at the end and he could have made it three
for the visitors after breaking clear only to put his attempted lob well wide.
John McGinlay who was not at the match because of a family bereavement was
kept up to date with the events via telephone and his faith in both his team
and his assistants paid dividends with this gutsy well deserved win.
Titterton's view of the game
"It was a good team performance, and although they caused us problems in the
first and the last 20 minutes, I thought we deserved to win.
The penalty save was vital because if they had scored, the game could have
gone the other way.
But we created a lot of chances as well, while the back four were superb -
they won everything in the air.
We have got to go on now and see what we can do on Tuesday. If we can pick
up another three or four wins we could be in the top six - which is were we
deserve to be."
Mangotsfield United (0) 1
Gresley Rovers (2) 2
Scorers: Summers 73 (Mangotsfield); Gray 38, Parkins 41 (Gresley).
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Wardle, Cheetham, Allcock, Woolley, Evans,
Bourne, Fairbrother (Fletcher 65), Ford, Parkins (Peters 54), Gray. Sub not
used: Bluck.
Mangotsfield United: Dyson, Pendry, Hallett, Barlass (Russell 66), Summers,
Loydon, Sims (Skidmore 70), Claridge, Edwards, Seal, Brooks (Winter 59).
Rovers
Star Man: Andy Bourne - worked hard all match.
Referee: T Curtis (Bath).
Attendance: 216
