Gresley Rovers vs Halesowen Town
Title hopes fade but it’s a day to remember – Rex Page – Burton Mail
Forget the result - this was every inch the day Gresley Rovers had hoped for.
Despite a biting wind and the ever-present threat of the type of overnight downpour that turned the pitch into something resembling a sandbank in The Wash, the fans turned up in unprecedented numbers on Saturday.
An audience numbering 678 was far and away the biggest the historic old Moat Ground had housed for a West Midlands League game, swelling turnstile, raffle, programme and bar takings to figures that must have prompted the money-conscious Moatmen to perform somersaults of delight in the privacy of the committee room.
It was almost as if the occasion was more important than the game though the football was of a surprisingly high standard in view of the inhospitable conditions.
Of course, the result on the pitch was not quite the one for which Rovers had hoped and prayed. If their championship challenge was to be anything other than a pipedream they had to win
Halesowen were in no mood to allow that to happen, even though at the end of the week in which they booked their passage to the FA Vase final at Wembley their fans would probably have excused on rare tumble from their lofty perch.
In the event Paddy Page’s men retained their top of the table position and Gresley did enough to extend their unbeaten record this year to 12 games and everyone went home wearing a self-satisfied smile.
Gresley’s challenge never fully materialised simply because they were playing a very good side which has trampled over most opposition this season with utter contempt.
It said a great deal, therefore, for Frank Northwood’s men that they were even able to share the points.
Halesowen were markedly the better side before the interval, cleverly making good use of the firmer footholds on either flank to stretch the Gresley defence to breaking point.
They had already wasted a couple of chances when Don Smith climaxed a spell of intense pressure by heading them into the lead.
The towering centre forward – scorer of a match-winning hat trick against Rovers earlier in the season – outleapt two defenders to glance in a left wing centre from John Rhodes.
Paul Joinson instantly went close to adding a second and for a while Rovers looked in some danger of collapse.
But they kept their discipline in defence and when they snatched the equaliser 50 seconds into the second half Halesowen were visibly shaken.
Clive Arthur’s cross from the right was cleverly overstepped by Robert Philpott, deceiving the visitor’s defence and allowing Dave King to steal in and sidefoot home.
The blue touch paper was finally ignited as the game developed into a pulsating contest of thrust and counter thrust.
Rhodes lashed a left foot shot against the top of the bar as Halesowen attempted to regain the lead and a curiously subdued Joinson, perhaps missing the companionship of his injured twin brother scorned an obvious chance.
Halesowen had to be applauded for refusing to close the game down and settle for a point. That is not the way they play their football and Gresley seized the opportunity to exchange blows.
Halesowen finished the stronger side, but with Karl Austin in commanding form Gresley held on for the point they just about deserved.
Gresley Rovers (0) 1
Halesowen Town (1) 1
Scorers: King 47(Gresley Rovers): Smith 38 (Halesowen Town).
Attendance: 678
