Gresley Rovers vs Chasetown
Tommy Gunner - Rex Page – Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers, whose new-found reputation has been built on their ability to score goals in vast numbers, had to un-earth other qualities at the Moat Ground on Saturday.
For it was not so much their highly-acclaimed attack which steered them to their sixth win in seven games in the Banks’s West Midlands League, but a defence which has had the finger of suspicion pointed at it in the last couple of weeks.
Rovers had conceded eight goals in their previous three outings – six of them at the Moat Ground – so it was re-assuring for manager Frank Northwood to see his side dig in their defensive heels and keep a clean sheet.
It was important that Rovers showed sounder form at the back for Chasetown enjoyed lengthy spells of territorial domination and gave Gresley an unexpectedly tough examination.
Victory by a more impressive margin looked a distinct possibility when Rovers swept into the lead with a superb goal after only 12 minutes.
Dave Butler, included in Northwood’s starting line-up despite speculation to the contrary, squared the ball along the edge of the area for Tommy Thompson to crash in a superb left-foot shot.
But hopes of another runaway Gresley win evaporated as Chasetown made use of the blustery conditions to pressurise Rovers’ defence.
Significantly, however, the Lichfield side created few obvious chances, though Peter Mould must have been less than happy with himself when he screwed his right-foot shot wide of an exposed goal after a rare error by Roger Davies.
Gresley might have stretched their lead in the 30th minute but Terry Logan responded brilliantly to a powerful header from Brian Beresford and from that point onwards Rovers knew maximum points would not be earned easily.
If anything, Chasetown had the edge in midfield, though the wind playing all sorts of tricks the game was never allowed to flow.
At times it was a bit like watching a table tennis match in a wind tunnel as both side attempted to bring a sense of order to the proceedings.
With Andy Williams making good use of the right flank, Chasetown were at their most threatening in the opening 20 minutes of the second half.
Gresley, however, refused to yield with full-backs Ian Earley and Mark Bromley in immaculate form and the central defensive pairing of Davies and Melvyn Pegg equally effective.
For all their willingness to attack eagerly Chasetown had little to show for their efforts.
Martin McNamara was significantly the busier of the two goalkeepers, yet was extended only by a low drive from Williams, which he turned round a post with typical aplomb.
There was always an uneasy feeling on the terraces that Chasetown might snatch an equaliser, yet it was at the other end that a second goal looked most likely.
Logan saved fortuitously when Butler fastened onto Bromley’s superb cross to the far post and Clive Arthur was not far off target with a thoughtful lob after a lovely exchange of pass with Beresford.
Gresley withdrew out-of-touch Ian Staley and introduced new signing Reg Priest in an attempt to get their attack moving at its menacing best, but the recruit from Blakenhall had few opportunities to shine as the game continued its fitful course.
Gresley Rovers (1) 1
Chasetown (0) 0
Scorer: Thompson 12.
Gresley Rovers: McNamara, Earley, Bromley, Pegg, Davies, Thompson, Arthur, Dolby, Butler, Beresford, Staley (Priest 70).
Chasetown: Logan, Cox, Tongue, Kent, Brindley, Jones, Campbell, Sheppard, Mair, Mould, Williams. Sub: Anderson.
Referee: R Eden (Streetly).
Attendance: 266
