Match Report  |  Cammell Laird vs Gresley Rovers

Gresley Rovers manager Gary Norton was once more unable to field his strongest side due to illness, unavailability and injury for the stiff task of taking on Cammell Laird who sit in second place in the league.

Striker David Blenkinsopp was missing due to his continuing foot injury while fellow striker Stefan Marshall failed a fitness test with an injured knee.

New signing midfielder Gavin Saunders was taken ill over the weekend and Lee Mellon, also a new arrival, was prevented from playing on doctor's orders after sustaining a severe gash on the top of his head that required hospital treatment during Good Friday's game against Brigg.

Midfielder Carl Slater is suffering from a groin injury, Danny Blair is still sidelined with an injured back and winger Jermain Hollis had work commitments.

Added to the squad were two 17-year-olds, Tom Read a reserve team striker and new signing Andy Roberts.

It was always going to be a tough task taking on Laird who have occupied a near top-of-the-league for many months. Added to that the hosts had taken a trouncing at Grantham and then a beating at Colwyn Bay and needed to get back on track.

Rovers had the first opportunity to strike when a poor clearance fell to Tony Hemmings who attempted to play his strike partner Brian Woodhall through but Lairds' keeper Paul Whitfield was quick to react and managed to take the ball from just in front of the on rushing Woodhall.

Laird hit back with Eddie Jebb firing a good free kick that was only just wide of the target. However, the home side didn't have long to wait as on loan striker Mark Reed opened the scoring.

A good run down the right saw Alex Hay send over an inviting cross that Reed met with a first time shot that beat Rovers' keeper David Clarke at his near post.

Woodhall went close on 24 minutes but after easily beating two defenders he could only hit his shot wide.

Reed was proving to be a handful and the striker almost doubled his tally on the half hour connecting with Chris Melia's cross only to fire over when well placed.

The goal that looked to be coming came just a few minutes later. Laird forced a corner from the left which was only half cleared. Reed managed to lay the ball back perfectly for Hay who hit a screamer past Clarke and into the net from just inside the area.

Rovers' Tom Groves almost reduced the arrears hitting a tremendous free kick that missed by a mere fraction.

Norton introduced Read replacing Hemmings and it was the Rovers debutant who almost laid on a goal with his first touch.
The newcomer's cross was collected by Groves at the far post and he put a superb pass for Woodhall to volley but Whitfield did well to make the save.

To their credit Rovers' didn't give up and now fielding three 17-year-olds went very close again to closing the gap.

With fifteen minutes remaining a free kick from Shaun Ridgway was half cleared as far as Woodhall whose shot was heading wide but Jordan Nadat, quick as lightening, was on to the ball at the far post but he sent his shot over the bar.

Woodhall tried his luck with a speculative effort that Whitfield easily dealt with as the game drew to a conclusion.