UniBond League Division One South
The Hawthorns, Brigg
Tuesday, 20th November 2007, 7.45pm
Slater Strike Seals A Win
This was the second game on the trot that Gresley Rovers had to defend for all they were worth in the second half but this time they held firm with some determined and resolute defending and came away with all three points.
Manager Gary Norton had to take a patched up side owing to suspension, injury and work commitments.
Missing were skipper Jamie Hood, Shaun Ridgway, Stefan Marshall, David Blenkinsopp, Adam Thorley, Dan Douglas, Tom Betteridge and Chris Mawbey.
To make up the fourteen, young reserve team striker Richard Hanslow was called into the squad with coach Tony Hemmings and assistant manager Mick Curry named on the bench.
Both sides found the going hard in the first half but Brigg made the first real attempt after just two minutes with Rovers' keeper David Clarke doing well to deny Stuart Ainsley.
They went close again minutes later after some good work between Daniel Barrett and Jason Maxwell gave Ainsley another chance this time he screwed his shot wide.
On 16 minutes Rovers created their first chance when Tom Groves put a superb through ball for Chris Sleath but Brigg keeper Damien Steer managed to grab the ball as the winger tried to control it.
Eight minutes later Rovers had a heart stopping moment when a rash tackle by Martyn Rowntree on Paul Grimes looked very close to being in the area. However, after consulting his assistant referee Mr Horn awarded a free kick just outside the area much to the visitors' relief.
Rovers took the lead on 34 minutes when a cross from the right by Jermain Hollis picked out Danny Blair who in turn passed invitingly for Craig Hanson who fired toward goal. The shot was blocked and fell nicely for Carl Slater to smash the ball into the roof of the net for his first goal of the season.
As was expected Brigg came out for the second half looking to get back on terms and Tommy Spall almost obliged. Rovers failed to clear the ball sufficiently and the defender hit a thunderous shot from distance that Clarke did very well to block.
It was then the turn of Steve Housham to go close as he put his diving header narrowly wide of the upright.
The visitors were finding second half chances few and far between but one of the best came after some excellent work between Hollis and Hanson down the right. Hanson put the ball through for Sleath but the final shot went wide.
Minutes later Brigg almost levelled things when a cross by Spall found Maxwell who headed towards goal but Miles Chamberlain was on hand to clear the ball off the line.
Rovers almost doubled their lead on 74 minutes when Nick Carter spotted Steer off his line and lifted a fine lob from distance that had the keeper scurrying backwards but the ball just cleared the bar.
A poor clearance by Lee Cochrane was seized upon by Hanson who fired the ball just past the near post.
Brigg had not given up the hope of grabbing at least a point and Ainsley was denied by Clarke who tipped the shot over the bar.
With time almost up Brigg had one final attempt when a cross from Karl Slack picked out Barrett but again the shot was wayward and flew high over the bar.
