Atherstone United vs Gresley Rovers
Misery for Rovers – Mike StJohn – Burton Mail
It is doubtful whether Gresley Rovers will ever again experience such a humiliating opening 45 minutes as they did in yesterdays wind affected West Midlands League derby at Atherstone United’s Sheepy Road.
The Moatmen were hit on no fewer than five occasions as the rampant Adders used the near gale force wind to very best effect, amassing a half time lead of formidable proportions.
As it occurred Gresley put up a commendable performance after the half time break, albeit with the help of the elements, but they never really appeared to be equipped to prevent the idea of defeat.
Substitute Reg Priest, who made an early appearance following debutante Kim Wassell’s 12th minute injury, made sure he softened the blow with a two goal strike to make the final score look respectable as Brian Beresford scorer of Rovers’ second goal was only too happy to acknowledge.
The wind may have determined the general course of this traditional Boxing Day fixture but that was no excuse for the Moatmen to splash uncertainly around the glue-pot surface during a fated first half.
Gresley were seen to be out of sorts from the beginning as only a quick reflex save by keeper Martin McNamara from an Ade Waters free kick stopped Atherstone taking a sixth minute lead.
The home crowd did not have long to wait before the first goal arrived as Rovers were blitzed by a three-goal burst inside a staggering four minutes.
Firstly, in the eighth minute a desperately short backpass from Brian Attley slowed down rapidly in the mud, allowing Rob Farmer to make a successful bid for goal.
Barely 60 seconds had passed before the vibrant Adders added a second. Alan Brotherton was allowed all the time in the world to crack a goal bound effort that a diving McNamara could only get his fingertips to before the ball flashed into the net.
Gresley did not even have time to recollect their thoughts before the third goal arrived in the 11th minute.
The Moatmen were unable to work their way out of the mire, as Brotherton made it look all too simple, tapping home Farmer’s cross from the right.
It certainly proved not to be Attley’s day as referee Brian Pegley felt it necessary to book the Rovers defender for a foul on Bob Parker.
Atherstone’s emphasis on attack nearly reaped further goals with Parker heading just wide of the left post in the 24th minute, some three minutes before McNamara pulled off two fine saves from Gary Bradder and Tom Fallon.
Gresley deliberated unnecessarily at the back when Parker presented United with an amazing four-goal lead inside the first half hour.
The Atherstone winger chipped the ball over from the left side, McNamara’s attempts to parry the danger were in vain as the ball spurted towards the back of the net.
Brotherton, looking quite at ease in the tacky conditions, managed to pull the ball back from the left bye-line giving Parker the simple job of poking home from close range.
Gresley’s complete desperation was epitomised in the 41st minute when Clive Arthur was booked for making comments to a linesman.
Rovers’ objective was chillingly clear: the Adders were able to find the back of the net five times, now it was Gresley’s turn.
Hints of a revival were not long in arriving as the Moatmen pulled a goal back some six minutes into the second half.
The Moatmen won a corner on the right; Beresford converted as big Reg Priest rose to glance the ball home.
Stuart Watkiss hacked at midfield man Paul Olner in the centre circle and was the third name to enter the black book.
Undeterred Gresley reduced the deficit further in the 59th minute. Atherstone were caught completely square as Watkiss carved an opening for John Laws on the right.
Laws had only goalkeeper Lee Spencer to beat, but the keeper advanced uncertainly off the line to narrow the angle, Laws slipped the ball across for Beresford who prodded the ball over the line.
With over 30 minutes left Gresley remained in an optimistic frame of mind but gritty Atherstone held on in difficult conditions to deny the visitors any more goals until just three minutes from the end of the eight goal bonanza.
Clive Arthur skimmed the crossbar and Reg Priest nearly secured his hat trick before Rovers closed what had now become an unassailable margin.
A cleverly worked move involving Beresford and Attley dazzled the tiring Adders and Priest was on hand to glance the ball past Spencer with three minutes remaining.
Atherstone United (5) 5
Gresley Rovers (0) 3
Scorers: Farmer 8, Brotherton 9, 11, Parker 28, 35 (Atherstone United): Priest 51,87 Beresford 59 (Gresley Rovers).
Atherstone United: Spencer, Bennetts, Peacock, Wilcox, Olner, Waters, Parker, Brotherton, Bradder, Farmer. Sub: Boneham.
Gresley Rovers: McNamara, Attley, Earley, Watkiss, Dolby, Wassell (Priest 12), Arthur, Laws, Staley, Beresford, Philpott.
Referee: B Pegler (Coventry).
Attendance: 295
