UniBond League Division One South
Sir Halley Stewart Field, Spalding
Saturday, 27th October 2007, 3.00pm
Rovers Get An Away Win
Gresley Rovers gained their first points on the road this season in a game that should have been wrapped up by halftime.
Rovers were the only side in the game for the first period and it was only some inspired keeping by James Doughty and some last ditch tackles that kept the score to just one goal by the turn-around.
The visitors were putting the home defence under pressure straight from the off and within ten minutes could have been ahead.
Stefan Marshall put the ball back to Tom Groves who's shot was blocked by Doughty who then had his defender Dennis Rhule to thank as his tackle denied David Blenkinsopp about to capitalise on the rebound.
Rovers' defender Jamie Hood then picked out Blenkinsopp who controlled well before setting up Nicky Carter for a shot that was blocked at his near post by the Tulip's keeper.
Minutes later Carter had another chance when Chris Sleath's cross from the right was laid back into Carter's path by Blenkinsopp but this time the midfielder fired his shot over the bar.
Rovers were battering the Tulip's defence and Rhule couldn't clear Groves' cross and Blenkinsopp fired only to see his attempt flash the wrong side of the far post.
The Rovers' pressure told on 29 minutes when Martyn Rowntree sent a high ball down field where defender Sam Wadieh miss judged the bounce and the ball went over his head. Marshall lurking in a dangerous area latched onto the ball and calmly put the ball past the onrushing Doughty and into the net.
Spalding had one of their very rare chances a couple of minutes later when Adam Buckley hit a free kick on the edge of the area just over the bar.
Hood then had the home defence all at sixes and sevens with long throws that they failed to deal with allowing Blenkinsopp first to fire just wide and then the striker seeing his shot blocked by Doughty.
Blenkinsopp could easily had four or five by now and went close again this time seeing a header cleared off the line by Ben Garrick.
With half time beckoning the beleaguered home defence heaved a sigh of relief as Carter fired fractionally wide and were glad to hear the whistle for the break.
Rovers should have doubled their advantage within minutes of the re-start when Sleath was clearly tripped in the area but unbelievably the referee Mr Blackwood waved the protests away.
With their only clear attempt on goal the Tulips equalised on 71 minutes. A long free kick from his own half by Doughty cleared the Rovers' backline and found Garrick totally unmarked. The frontman made no mistake slotting the ball under David Clarke.
Rovers were soon in front again when Carl Slater raced into the area to get on the end of Blenkinsopp's cross. However, the midfielder was tripped and the referee pointed to the spot. Blenkinsopp fired the penalty kick home despite Doughty getting a touch.
Spalding almost levelled again on 81 minutes when Garrick laid the ball on for substitute Kevin Ward but the shot went wide.
Rovers almost added a third right at the end when Shaun Ridgway tried an audacious chip that beat Doughty but cleared the bar.
Manager's View
"We absolutely dominated the game in the opening 45 minutes and we played some fantastic football and it would not have been an injustice if we had been four or five-nil up at half time.
"We created some great chances and their keeper has made some tremendous saves.
"Then in the second half, one mistake has let them back in it. A free kick down the middle and their guy is in acres of space, and it's one-one in a game that Spalding had not got a foothold in.
"What I can say is the lads showed character and got back in front from the penalty."
