Solihull Borough vs Gresley Rovers
Gresley go five up!
Alan Titterton and Andy Mason were again in charge of first team affairs while
John McGinlay was still in Scotland after family bereavement.
After winning the last four games Alan and Andy were determined to try and
extend their incredible October run to five games. McGinlay had handed over
the reins for the last two games and the team could not have been in more capable
hands.
Perhaps producing their best performance of the season Gresley visited the
home of the league-leaders Solihull Borough and were soon in their stride. On
6 minutes Mark Peters nearly giving the visitors an early advantage but he could
only head over a Ryan Ford cross after new signing Steve Hutchinson's initial
effort had been blocked.
Hutchinson replaced the injured Chris Parkin up front and made an impressive
debut.
On 16 minutes Jason Pearcey in the home goal was quick to react, gathering
the ball well, after Ford had placed a deep free kick for Jake Fairbrother to
hit.
Chris Gray made a good run into the area playing a fine one-two with Andy Bourne
but his resulting shot was tame and easily taken by Pearcey.
On 30 minutes Solihull had what was probably their first attempt on goal. A
Richard Beale cross was not cleared but Simon Hollis could only head over the
bar.
Gresley were then grateful to their keeper, James Lindley, twice in the space
of a few minutes just before the half-time break. First he held on to a ferocious
Derek Hall shot and then raced off his line to bravely gather the ball at the
feet of Beal.
The second half began with both sides having a crack at the target with Hollis
for the home side and Fairbrother for the visitors both putting efforts wide.
Barry Woolley came to the rescue on 50 minutes when he made a fantastic last-ditch
tackle to deny Solihull left back Martin Heir who had stormed into the box.
Seconds later Lindley failed to punch the ball clear and Andy Cheetham cleared
a header by Hall.
On 57 minutes Bourne hit a cross shot which was only just wide of the far post
but it was man-of-the-match Woolley who put Gresley in front.
On 62 minutes Gresley were awarded a free kick, which was taken by Ford. Woolley
claiming his fourth goal of the campaign headed Ford's fine cross powerfully
into the net.
The home side then began to apply pressure to try and claim an equaliser and
it was a superbly time tackle by Stuart Evans that denied them. Beale had been
put through on goal and it needed something special to deny him and that is
precisely what Evans provided and ensuring it was 5 out of 5 for Gresley.
The Dr Martens League will soon be making its choice for the Western Division's
manager of the month for October and it would be a travesty if the name of John
McGinlay doesn't top the vote. Alan and Andy I'm sure will be included in that
recognition as they also deserve the credit for this amazing run which we hope
continues on Saturday against Chippenham at the moat.
Andy's thoughts on the game:
"I'm over the moon. All credit must go to the gaffer and this was another victory
for him.
He has put the team together and done all the groundwork. He has set the whole
thing up and we have just moved it on.
John has been involved as much as he possibly could have been while he has
been away and the lads have not needed too much motivation because their confidence
is so high.
We were magnificent tonight. I asked them for 150% and they gave it to me.
I told them it was all about work rate and you get out of games what you put
in, and that is what happened tonight.
Lady Luck was not with us at the start of the season, and then our luck changed,
but that was not about luck tonight."
Gresley Rovers: (0) 1
Scorer: Woolley 62
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Wardle, Cheetham, Fairbrother, Woolley, Evans,
Bourne, Peters, Ford, Hutchinson, Gray; subs not used: Fletcher, Bluck, Moran.
Solihull Borough: Pearcey, Cooper, Hier, M Smith, Knight, Dutton, Hollis,
Sutton (C Smith 74), Hall, Beale, Hayde; subs not used: Lovelock, Shaw.
Rovers
Star Man: Barry Woolley - magnificent all round performance and scored.
Referee: C D Nock (Stourbridge).
Attendance: 154
