The Don Hill Memorial Trophy
Hillsfield, Rocester
Tuesday, 15th July 2008, 7.45pm
Rovers Put The Romans To The Sword
Gresley Rovers retained The Don Hill Memorial Trophy at Hillsfield in what turned out to be a comfortable victory over their Midland Alliance neighbours.
The hosts gave as good as they got for most of the first half but after levelling early in the second and Rovers hitting back to regain the lead almost immediately Rocester were given a lesson in passing and scoring.
Rovers took the lead after just 7 minutes when a corner from the left by Oliver Hancock found Jamie Barrett at the far post and his header looped over the flailing home keeper Paul Wood and into the net.
Adam McMahon should have got his side back on terms when he ran onto a through ball by Jordi Gough but with only Rovers keeper Simon Baldwin to beat he shot wide of the mark.
A mazy dribble into the box by Mark Hodson needed a superb block tackle by a Rovers' defender to deny what would have ended a great move if he had scored.
Wood then made two very good saves to deny David Blenkinsopp within a couple of minutes of each other.
Blenkinsopp then turned provider when he managed to get the ball on the bye-line just inside the right edge of the area. The striker looked up and chipped a delightful ball to Tom Liversage whose thunderous volley was again well blocked by Wood.
Rovers went close right at the start of the second period when Blenkinsopp shot wide from a pass by Barrett.
However, seconds later they were caught cold as the Romans drew level on 48 minutes. A poor pass out of defence allowed Gary Langford to smash home a long-range low shot from 25 yards that perhaps Baldwin should have dealt with.
The lead was back in Rovers' hands just two minutes later when Liversage made a good run down the left before picking out Blenkinsopp charging into the area. The prolific striker made no mistake hammering a low shot into the net with Wood a mere spectator.
In almost an identical move on 54 minutes Rovers extended their lead. This time it was substitute Brian Woodall who made the run down the left picking out Carl Slater who drilled home a low shot into the net.
Gavin Saunders scored arguably the best goal of the night when he ran through the centre before firing an unstoppable shot into the top corner of Wood's net from 25 yards.
Rocester hadn't totally given up and on 75 minutes David Clarke, on for Simon Baldwin, was called into a rare save to deny Gough's goal bound shot.
It proved to be a bit of a false dawn as Rovers turned the screw with Woodall having a shot well parried by Wood and then Barrett heading wide from the resultant corner.
The final goal of the evening came again after some good work down the left this time by Slater. His cross into the area was met by Liam Bood who fired home from just inside the area.
Manager's View
Steve Hinks view:
"I'm delighted with the workout to be fair. The lads have done well and in the end got a good result.
"It was difficult at times but in the pre-season games that's what you expect. We kept some continuity to the side keeping the same side until the second half. We made one change at the start of the second half - Jamie Hood - and it paid dividends and in the second half we were a class above them.
"The preparations were hampered a little by two players coming later but you have to get on with it. Obviously we'd picked the side and two players were later so I had to reshuffle things and just move on. Everyone accommodated it well and we just worked from that.
"I thought Simon (Baldwin) did really well. I thought he kicked it well, I thought he talked well and the only thing I've got to say is put a cap on in the sun - first half he couldn't see the ball!
"But, apart from that I was really delighted with him, absolutely first class and he's going to push David (Clarke) for that shirt and that's good coming from within the club.
"Blenko (David Blenkinsopp) got a bit of a strain and we brought him off just as a bit of a precaution. Obviously I don't want to be carrying injuries at this time of the season but nothing major.
"Tom (Groves) was missing due to injury, Lee Mellon is on holiday but the lads who played tonight have given themselves a good chance of getting in the squad. That's what it's all about; if you are not here you've got to prove yourself when you come back.
"Obviously with the result five-one, it gives those who are away a bit of a kick up the backside to prove they can get into the side. It's good healthy competition!"
