Chasetown vs Gresley Rovers
Priest the poacher’s late late show – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Devastating finishing by Gresley’s Reg Priest was the difference between the sides in this windswept, often mundane encounter.
Priest struck two second half goals to kill off Chasetown and further consolidate Rovers’ top six position in the Banks’s West Midlands League.
Yet the Moatmen could well have thrown the points away in an un-enterprising first half.
Gresley seemed happy to play second fiddle to Chasetown’s modest line-up and better finishing by the home side could have put the game beyond retrieve by the interval.
Happily for the visitors the gangling Peter Mould was the only home forward wearing scoring boots and it was he, after having earlier tested Martin McNamara’s reflexes, who provided the first goal of the afternoon – and what a cracker!
Pepsi West seemed to have the situation under control as the lanky forward made a lone foray into the Gresley box but the striker’s quick turn gave him the space to strike a low shot past the helpless McNamara.
Chasetown seemed about to double their lead when Mould put fellow striker Les Mair clear early in the second half but this time McNamara produced a spectacular, twisting save.
Gresley badly needed a break and within a minute were presented with one, courtesy of referee Hobbis.
Stuart Watkiss sent Mair sprawling in midfield and as Chasetown waited for the whistle Gresley’s Brian Beresford broke quickly along the left before picking out Clive Arthur at the far post to despatch the equaliser.
Gresley at last achieved the domination their skills deserved and after curling a shot just off target from Beresford’s corner Priest finally nosed his side ahead in the 82 minute.
The improving Rob Philpot crossed from the left and as the Chasetown defence stood off in awe Priest slid in to control the ball, stood up, turned and whacked home a low shot.
Three minutes later the big striker rose unmarked at the near post to turn home Arthur’s corner and push Gresley into fifth place in the table.
Chasetown (1) 1
Gresley Rovers (0) 3
Scorers: Mould ? (Chasetown): Arthur ?, Priest 82, 85 (Gresley Rovers).
Chasetown: Logan, Cox, Kent, Sheppard, Atkinson, Campbell, Parton, Tonks, Mair, Mould, Rose (Woodward 72).
Gresley Rovers: McNamara, Attley, Earley, West, Watkiss, Philpot, Arthur, Laws, Priest, Beresford, Dolby: Sub: Dearn.
Referee: B Hobbis (Stourbridge).
Attendance: 65
