UniBond League Division One South
The Weaver Stadium, Nantwich
Monday, 27th August 2007, 3.00pm
Bank Holiday Blues For Rovers
Gresley Rovers' Bank Holiday trip to the new Weaver Stadium was not a successful one after being on the end of a comprehensive defeat.
Injury and illness had yet again disrupted manager Gary Norton's plans with defender Chris Mawbey failing a fitness test and Nicky Carter succumbing to a stomach bug.
Two players who may have made the trip unfortunately had a reaction to their recent injuries playing for the reserves on Saturday leaving both David Blenkinsopp and Morgan Hurley yet to make a start this season.
Nantwich made a good start to the game putting Rovers immediately on the back foot and could have taken the lead on 16 minutes. Danny Grigg's free kick found Glyn Blackhurst who's first time volley was superbly tipped over by keeper David Clarke.
However, they didn't have long to wait because a minute later they did get the goal their play had deserved.
After a flurry of corners a Griggs cross was flicked on by Phil Parkinson to Blackhurst who made no mistake blasting his shot past Clarke and into the far corner.
On 20 minutes Rovers went close when Karl Wayte headed Shaun Ridgway's wide while moments later Jamie Hood repeated the attempt.
Seven minutes later Nantwich should have gone further ahead when Pavol Suhaj found himself one-on-one with Clarke but the striker seemed to be unsure of what to do and fired a weak shot straight at Clarke.
Rovers, who were finding it extremely difficult to get moves going, had one that almost paid dividends. Ridgway played a good ball to Chris Sleath who returned the favour. The midfielder then put in a low cross into the box but it eluded David Brown running in at the far post.
Adam Barradell then came to the visitors' rescue hooking the ball away after Griggs had rounded Clarke and looked certain to pick out Ashley Carter unmarked in front of goal.
On 39 minutes Rovers went two down when Blackhurst was allowed a free header at the far post to nod home a free kick.
Rovers could have reduced the arrears just before the break with Brown forcing Natwich's keeper David Kocjak to make a fine save. Then, Wayte caught the Nantwich back line knapping and raced in on goal but again the keeper was quick to react making the tackle.
The visitors almost grabbed an early second half goal courtesy of a poor back pass from Paul Taylor. The ball was hit so hard that it bounced off the legs of Kocjak giving Hood the chance to get to the ball only to see his effort sail past the far post.
Nantwich continued to control proceedings and when close again but Blackhurst could only head Griggs' free kick into the arms of Clarke.
The home side did score again on 78 minutes. A superb fast flowing move down the right involving Andy Kinsey and Nick Linford ended with a pinpoint pass to Carter who comfortably beat Clarke.
Rovers grabbed a consolation but yet again it was due to an error. On 84 minutes Barradell's free kick into the box was carried over his line by Kocjak with the assistant referee awarding the goal.
A moment of rashness made the defeat even worse for Rovers when Groves, already booked for arguing with the referee, appeared to trip Kinsey giving referee Mr Castle no option but to show him a second yellow and then a red card.
Rovers had a chance to reduce the arrears even more in time added on but Karl Payne hit his shot well over the bar when well placed.
