UniBond League Division One South
The Town Ground, Alsager
Saturday, 15th December 2007, 3.00pm
Marshall Nets The Winner
On a bitterly cold winter's afternoon Gresley Rovers warmed the hearts of their hardy band of followers by producing a heart warming performance.
Still smarting from the heavy defeat at Grantham, Rovers took control of this game and earned themselves some revenge after Alsager had stolen all three points at the Moat Ground a month ago with a late, late goal.
Back into the starting eleven was defender Dan Douglas who was harshly sent off in that match along with debutant Leigh Platnauer recently signed from Hinckley United. Shaun Ridgway also made a welcome return after missing the last four game.
Alsager made the first chance when Nicky Carter's clearance dropped for Mark Sobolvew who in turn picked out former Moatman Dave Whittaker. Whittaker's strong header was well saved by Rovers' keeper David Clarke.
Except for a couple of first half chances from Ryan Baker and Ashley Miller the home side failed to threaten a Rovers side defending superbly.
On 23 minutes Rovers went close to opening the scoring when Tom Groves fired a terrific long-range shot that Alsager keeper Matt Conkie did well to hold on to.
Minutes later it was Danny Blair's turn to go close for the visitors when Stefan Marshall picked out Douglas down the right who sent over a cross that Blair narrowly headed over the bar.
On 36 minutes Blair slung in a corner that was headed back by Jordan Lambert to Marshall but the striker's shot was blocked on the line by a defender.
A rare venture in to the Rovers area ended with Dorryll Proffit firing well wide of the target.
The second half began with Rovers on top and they were unlucky when the referee Mr Ackerman turned down appeals after Marshall's cross had clearly hit the arm of a defender in the area.
Striker David Blenkinsopp was inches away from scoring but his outstretched leg just failed to connect with Blair's cross.
Rovers took a deserved lead on 56 minutes. Groves made a fine run down the right and sent in a low cross into the area. A defensive mix-up in the home defence saw Dougie Pitts attempt to clear the danger but could only push the ball for Marshall to hammer home from close in.
The home side was now under intense pressure as wave after wave of Rovers' attacks came at them and to their credit did extremely well to keep the score at just one goal.
Rovers were playing arguably some of their best football of the season and a superb move between Blenkinsopp, Marshall and Groves ended with Ridgway firing goalwards - unfortunately straight at the keeper.
Alsager tried to make headway but was caught by another swift attack by Rovers when Marshall flew down the right before laying the ball on for Groves. He in turn saw Blair in acres of space but Conkie did well to cut off the danger.
Blair was then the provider when he sent Blenkinsopp off down the right but the striker's cross was cleared for a corner.
The flag kick was put into the box by Blair and Platnauer was unlucky not to have got his first goal for the club putting his header just wide of the far post.
Conkie was almost caught when Groves managed to chest down his clearance but unfortunately fired wide of the target.
Manager's View
"All we wanted to do today was to be solid, particularly after the Grantham game, and I thought defensively we were superb.
"Leigh (Platnauer) has come in and done well and I thought Miles (Chamberlain) was superb and probably had his best game for us.
"It was a scrappy first half and a scrappy second, but we created the better chances.
"We got the goal and could have had one or two more, but we acquitted ourselves well and it's pleasing to get three points away from home."
