Gresley Rovers vs Shirebrook Town
Easy ride for Rovers
This match could have been the proverbial "banana skin" sort of a game with
everything to lose and little to gain.
John McGinlay took the game seriously enough to field the strongest team he
could against their Central Supreme Division opponents Shirebrook Town who top
their league at present.
At right from the start the difference in class showed and the Moatmen were
two up inside the first 15 minutes and moving easily into the next round.
On 3 minutes Barry Woolley had a shot blocked by Tony Starkey but was unfortunate
to damage an ankle in the process. He was to last only another 11 minutes before
being substituted after more lengthy treatment by Gresley's physio.
Mark Peters replaced Woolley on 14 minutes with Jake Fairbrother being asked
to drop back into the central defensive position as Peters took up the midfield
role.
James Lindley had to be alert to tip over a tremendous 35-yard screamer from
Jordan Johnson.
On 11 minutes Chris Gray opened the scoring. Richard Wardle galloped down right
and was allowed plenty of time to measure a fine cross that Gray headed confidently
into the net past the helpless Shirebrook keeper Mark Hales.
It only took Gresley four minutes to double their lead and it was Gray again
that did the damage. Hales had don well to save from close-range to deny Andy
Bourne but Gray was quick to react to the rebound and slotted home his second
of the match.
In a rare moment of Shirebrook pressure Widdowson saw Lindley save his shot
with his legs after the Gresley defence had failed to clear a corner.
Gresley looked as if they could score at will and Westwood was unlucky to see
his shot go wide of the upright on 27 minutes.
Andy Cheetham, arguably the man of the match, went on one of his usual charging
runs up the left and put in the sort of cross strikers dream about. This time
it was Chris Parkins who had the honour to slot home the ball on the half hour.
After the break it seemed that Shirebrook's manager had told his team they
had nothing to lose and they came out with a purpose with Craig Shaw forcing
Lindley to deal with his volley.
On 60 minutes it looked as if Gresley had won a penalty when Ian Streather
brought down Bourne in the area but the Littleover official waved play on.
One bizarre piece of referring was when the referee gave a foul just outside
the Gresley area as Lindley was in the process of clearing the ball. The official
adjudged that Lindley had deliberately kicked the ball away and duly booked
him much to the amazement of players and supporters.
To make matters worse Rob Orton hit a "Beckham" style free kick into the far
corner of the net giving Lindley no chance.
On 70 minutes Cheetham hit a tremendous left foot drive which narrowly missed
the angle of bar and upright.
Gresley continued to turn the screw and on 73 minutes things got even worse
for the visitors. Johnson, who had previously been booked for a second minute
foul on Richard Wardle, brought down Peters and the referee had no option but
to send the Shirebrook midfielder off the field.
On 83 Bourne got his deserved goal after Cheetham had again run almost the
length of the pitch before putting in a cross that Bourne expertly volleyed
into the net leaving Hales stranded.
Widdowson pulled another goal back on 89 minutes for Shirebrook after a slip
in defence by the normally secure Fairbrother but the visitors had been well
beaten.
The manager's view of the game
"It was a good performance, especially the first half. We probably paid the
price for that because they took the foot off the pedal, which is a natural
reaction when you're
3 - 0 up.
"And I don't think the game was in doubt after that really. It was a good performance
by our lads. I was more interested in the second half with them looking after
themselves and not picking up any injuries because they are a physical side
and they put themselves about.
"We've got a few knocks in the dressing room and a few doubtful for Saturday
already. Yes it was a victory and we're into the next round but we've paid the
price for it. It was a big blow to us when Barry Woolley limped out especially
with Stuart Evans being out at the moment. We've had to reshuffle the whole
side and we will have to see how things work out on Saturday. It's a bit early
to say at the moment for Barry but has I've said I'm pleased we got through
but we've paid the price.
"I would have loved to have rested the majority of the team tonight, to be
honest, but we couldn't. If I had put a young side out against these lads they
would have kicked them off the park so that's why we made the decision.
"If they would have scored in the first half we would have gone up the other
end and scored. I really do believe that and that's not being disrespectful
to them because they are a good battling side at their level, but coming here
is another level again to them and I thought you could see the difference between
the teams.
"I was pleased with our lads attitude because we warned them before the game
what they would be up against and to be honest I was worried throughout the
whole game injury wise. They have still to compete, but be careful.
"I thought the goals were excellent. Four good goals in all honesty. The fourth
one was the icing on the cake that was a great move. Andy Cheetham can do that
sort of thing all night; he is a threat on the left-hand side. And the finish
by Andy Bourne was great. This all over and done with now and we're back to
the bread and butter on Saturday, which is more important to me. It's a league
game against Bilston.
"Bilston are going to be a good side there's no way they would come here with
a weakened side it will be a decent side up here on Saturday.
"It's an important game for us, a big big game. We need to get back on track
as soon as possible."
Gresley Rovers (3) 4
Shirebrook Town (0) 2
Scorers: Gray 11, 15; Parkins 30; Bourne 83 (Gresley Rovers): Orton
62; Widdowson 89 (Shirebrook Town).
Rovers
Star Man: Andy Cheetham - superb left sided display.
Referee: D Morrison (Littleover).
Attendance: 195
