Gresley Rovers vs Buxton
Magic Mark – Rex Page – Burton Mail
An impressive debut by newly-recruited goalkeeper Mark Griffiths kept alive Gresley Rovers’ Derbyshire Senior Cup hopes alive at the Moat Ground last night.
Rovers travel to Silverlands for a second round replay next Tuesday indebted to the athleticism of the player they snapped up from Wednesfield Social.
In truth though, not even the significant contribution of Griffiths should have stopped Buxton from marching to a quarter-final tie at home to neighbours Matlock Town.
The Multipart Leaguers were decisively the better side, but their impulsive approach work was spoiled by some wayward finishing.
Gresley had an escape after only six minutes when a misdirected back pass from the uncomfortable Stuart Watkiss presented Mike Halliday with an unobstructed route to goal.
Halliday seemed certain to score but, as Griffiths rushed from his line, the Buxton striker was hurried into shooting wide.
That set the pattern for much of the remainder of the game, with Buxton being foiled either by the excellence of the Gresley keeper or by their own shortcoming in front of goal.
Griffiths saved bravely at the feet of Les Harris and superbly from John White after another error by Watkiss.
And Buxton’s frustration mounted when Malcolm Hill, sent free by John White, rolled his shot wide with the goal gaping at him.
In stark contrast, Gresley rarely threatened to extend Gil Hopkinson in the Buxton goal.
A tremendous left foot shot inches too high from Reg Priest in the tenth minute was the sum total of their first half labours in attack.
Griffiths had further opportunity to impress after the interval. A brilliant reflex save from Harris’s full-blooded header in the 67th minute finally convinced Buxton it was not to be their night.
Their waves of pressure subsided in the final 20 minutes, though Rovers never looked capable of profiting from their best spell of the game.
Brian Beresford’s fiercely driven angled shot forced Hopkinson to produce an important near post save in the 77th minute.
But for much of the time Gresley looked no nearer to a solution to their problems in midfield and attack.
Beresford, the man on whose goals Rovers are so dependent, again looked sadly out of touch.
He has scored only once in the last nine games, a record which probably amounts to the leanest spell of his career.
The match ended on an unsavoury note when Buxton defender Steve Jackson was booked or a spiteful last minute challenge on Griffiths.
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Buxton (0) 0
Gresley Rovers: Griffiths, Attley, Bromely, Watkiss, Dolby, Thompson, Arthur, Bailey, Priest (Butler 72), Beresford, Earley.
Buxton: Hopkinson, Vaughan, Bainbridge, Philips, Jackson, Gorman, White, Hill, Halliday, Harris (Hughes 88), Rodwell.
Referee: S Wesson (Mickleover).
Attendance: 250
