Match Report  |  Grantham Town vs Gresley Rovers

75 years is far too long to gain revenge but thankfully the Grantham hoodoo was put away on Saturday as the Moatmen stung the play-off hopefuls with a gutsy victory.

The gale force winds did not help either team with Rovers' keeper David Clarke's goal kick in the second half coming back on itself to go out for a corner!

Rovers were looking to end a dismal run that had see their last victory back in the first week of January at home against Quorn and since then just four points out of thirty three on offer.

Returning to the squad was Lee Mellon, who had missed the previous match on doctor's orders after sustaining a severe gash to the top of his head against Brigg, Gavin Saunders who had succumbed to illness and Stefan Marshall after recovering from a knee injury.

The visitors playing with the wind at their backs were on top for most of the first half and almost took a very early lead when a Miles Chamberlain free kick was flicked on for Marshall whose header brought out a fine save from home keeper Mario Ziccardi as he managed to tip the ball over the bar.

Rovers went close again on 17 minutes when an almost identical set piece from Chamberlain and Hood this time gave Brian Woodhall an opportunity but his header went wide.

Sustained Rovers pressure almost broke the home resistance minutes later when Shaun Ridgway pushed a pass through for Marshall but a timely intervention from Joby Gowshall took the ball off the striker's toes as he prepared to shoot.

Grantham eventually come to terms with the atrocious conditions and a good run down the left by Rob Norris saw a cross that Jordan Nadat managed to get to before Jason Minett could strike.

Minett was involved again just minutes later when he swung over a cross that Mellon could only half clear to Brendan McDaid but the final shot flew wide of the near post.

Rovers desperately wanted to take advantage of the wind at their backs and it came on 43 minutes. A Saunders corner was half cleared and Woodhall hit the ball high into the box for Chamberlain who headed towards the net.

Ziccardi managed to get a touch and push it onto the post where Terry Flemming hooked the ball off the line or so he thought.

According to the referee the ball had crossed the line and he indicated a goal much to the annoyance of Grantham's players and supporters.

Rovers were a little disappointed not to have gone in at the break leading by a bigger margin as they new only too well that Grantham would hit them hard in the second period.

However, Rovers adjusted to the conditions and kept their opponent's at bay. The homeside thought they'd won a penalty on 60 minutes when Minett appeared to have been pushed in the area by Chamberlain but the referee would have none of the appeals and waved play on.

Grantham didn't have long to wait, however, as eight minutes later the referee made up for what the home crowd thought was a blatant error earlier by penalising Rovers' right back Dan Douglas for a trip on McDaid in the area.

Striker Jason Turner hit the spot kick which Clarke almost got to as he chose the correct direction to dive.

Grantham, with the play-offs firmly in their minds put Rovers under pressure and they almost grabbed the goal they desperately needed when Turner fired into the side netting after Clarke's poor punch failed to clear the danger from Minett's cross.

With Mellon struggling with a hamstring injury Rovers' manager Gary Norton brought on Jermain Hollis in Mellon's place and the substitution would have an impact later in the game.

The strong wind was playing havoc with Clarke's goal kicks with one actually turning back on itself and going out for a corner!

Even with the very strong wind in their faces Rovers broke forward and a good pass from Marshall picked out substitute Hollis down the right flank. He, in turn, picked out Nadat who unfortunately fired a good chance wide.

The youngster had another good chance minutes later but again he failed to hit the target after Marshall had lain on the pass.
Rovers looked the most likely to grab the points in the final stages and with just four minutes remaining of the match they nicked the goal they'd been after.

A great cross from Hood was superbly controlled by Marshall on his chest and in one move laid the ball to his right for Hollis whose low shot went under the diving Ziccardi.

Cue celebrations from players, management and supporters alike as Rovers ended the 75-year Grantham hoodoo and that dismal league run.