Wolverhampton United vs Gresley Rovers
Blocked out – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers have given their long-suffering fans a feast of footballing entertainment for most of the season, but against fumbling and ineffective Wolverhampton frustration was the only course on the menu.
United battled and kicked for 90 minutes as Rovers streets ahead in ability, never found the time to put a foot on the ball and take control.
Every time Gresley got forward United were waiting in numbers with an eager “boot in anywhere” policy that doomed the game to an inauspicious and annoying spectacle.
The first half passed by as it never intended to happen: Gresley allowing a patchwork pitch of mud, sand and clay to put a stop to any notion of constructive play.
But Rovers gained a gradual ascendancy and skipper Dave King, who had gone closest to scoring with a 13th minute shot that flashed fractionally wide, prompted the move that almost brought a goal just before half time.
His long ball towards the corner flag found Clive Arthur who picked out Johnny Branch – but the striker missed the ball completely as it whizzed across goal them miss-kicked hopelessly when King turned it back from the far post.
Gresley watchers were confident of an improvement after the break but Nigel Barrows, and time to pick his spot from a Branch cross allowed keeper Rob Brewer to save. Even when Rovers replaced the tall striker with Reg Priest Wolverhampton didn’t buckle.
In fact it took Ian Earley’s clearance off the line after Graham Stokes had stuck a breakaway chance past Austin to stop United from bringing the game to life with an undeserved goal.
Again it was Branch who had the best chance to settle the issue after Arthur had rocked the fumbling Brewer but a close range blast blocked and another effort from the rebound cleared off the line.
Tony Ormsby, brother of Leeds United Brandan, was along with Stokes, Wolverhampton’s best player, and could have snatched a winner had Karl Austin not thwarted a rare incisive move with a bold save at the death.
Gresley, with Priest impressive during a brief appearance, were classy in defence but frustrating in their inability to clinch midfield control. Up front Beresford’s opportunism was sorely missed.
Now the Moatmen will have to wait for the runners-up spot their previous performances this year fully merit.
Wolverhampton United (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Wolverhampton United: Brewer, Guest, Williams, Potts, Goodhead, Williams, Finch, Morris, Ormsby, Stokes (Hill 78), Haynes.
Gresley Rovers: Austin, Earley, Bromley, West, Dolby, King, Arthur, Laws, Barrows (Priest 62), Branch, Philpott.
Referee: P Curry (Coventry).
Attendance: 65
