Lye Town vs Gresley Rovers
Rovers forget awayday blues – Rex Page – Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers will be hard pressed to deprive Halesowen Town of their third successive West Midlands League title – but there was further evidence at Stourbridge Road on Saturday that runners-up spot could be within their ever-lengthening reach.
Rovers’ fragile away form – particularly against sides with whom they are jostling for position at the top of the table – has been a source of worry for manager Frank Northwood.
But 1986 has so far been richly promising with three excursions yielding five points to prove that Northwood’s recent surgery may have at last cured them of travel sickness.
In terms of points gained Saturday’s trip was the least rewarding, yet it was probably the most satisfying result of all and, according to the manager, the best performance because of the high quality nature of the opposition.
Despite a treacherous frost-bound pitch that must have been perilously close to being declared unplayable, Gresley gave an assured and confident display that augurs well for the remainder of the season.
Their organised defence, reinforced by an impressive debut by goalkeeper Karl Austin, hardly put a foot wrong and in midfield Dave King began his third spell with the club by suggesting he is every inch the general Northwood has been seeking since the season began.
And despite the absence of goals, Rovers were often the most incisive side in attack. They created the best chances, three of them falling to Kevin Banton who was called into the side at a late hour because leading scorer Brian Beresford had to withdraw through illness.
Both side showed utmost respect for the pitch in a cautious start, but after that there was no lack of adventure and the standard of football produced in such difficult conditions was unexpectedly high.
Gresley’s use of two wingers kept the Lye defence at full stretch for most of the first half, John Laws twice driving shots into the side netting before Banton wasted the first real chance.
Clive Arthur’s cross from the right gave Banton a clear shooting chance but his left-footed volley was directed straight at the goalkeeper John Crannage.
Austin’s first serious contribution to his new club was an important one in the 35th minute. Paul Lippitt’s clever chip into the area was seized by Dean Seymour, but the Lye striker’s firm low drive was superbly saved.
Rovers responded immediately carving open the Lye defence. A glorious through ball from Laws fell invitingly into the path of Banton but he was unable to bring the ball under full control and drove hastily over the bar.
Austin recovered well to save again from Seymour after losing his footing in the frozen goalmouth as Lye produced their best spell of pressure in the opening stages of the second half.
If Rovers wobbled in defence it was barely discernable, however, for with Steve Dolby and Ian Early in commanding form Lye’s flurry of pressure caused no further alarm.
Rovers most obvious chance of the second half came in the 65th minute when Banton made a brilliant run to latch onto a tantalising cross from Brian Attley. The winger calmly used his chest to bring the ball under control but his ten yard shot thudded against the underside of the bar.
Banton’s growing influence threatened Lye again in the 78th when his cross was sliced in front of goal by Lippitt.
Lye Town (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Lye Town: Crannage, Lippitt, Cooper, Jackson, Paskin, Hayes, Cole, Wilkinson, Bastable, Seymour, McPhee: Sub: Walker.
Gresley Rovers: Austin, Attley, Earley, West, Dolby, Philpot, Arthur, King, Priest, Laws, Banton. Sub: Whitehouse
