Harrison's vs Gresley Rovers
One point wonders – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
It might not have been the best of games, but the reaction of the Rovers players at the final whistle summed up their feelings about the result.
For a point was enough to take the Banks’s West Midland League’s runners-up trophy to the Moat Ground and crown Gresley’s best season for many a year.
And as the champagne corks popped in the visitor’s dressing room manager Frank Northwood, who has transformed the Moat Ground club in something like 18 months from one battling for a mid-table respectability to a force to be feared around the West Midlands, paid tribute to his players.
Reflecting on an unbeaten league run stretching back 22 games to Boxing Day Northwood said: “The lads have been so consistent – this is just rewards.”
Yet few times have Gresley had to battle so hard to keep a hand on one of the greatest prizes in the club’s history.
The Moatmen endured a heart-stopping first half barrage from the team that destroyed them 3-0 at home early in the season and had keeper Karl Austin to thank for keeping the scores blank at the interval.
Austin made a string of super saves as Harrison’s threatened to deny Rovers at the very last hurdle.
But even after vastly influential player-coach Glen West had been helped from the field and taken to hospital with concussion after a clash of heads Gresley kept their composure.
Top scorer Brian Beresford could have done much to settle his team-mates’ nerves when Rob Philpott’s flick on put him clear in the opening minute.
Beresford had time to pick his spot from ten yards but placed a firm shot too close to keeper Keith Banks who turned the ball onto the bar and was surprised as anyone when it rebounded safely into his arms.
Little was seen of the Gresley attack after this as Harrison’s set about a party spoiling exercise at the other end of the field.
The impressive Kev Whitehouse was a constant source of danger on the left and could easily have set up a tenth minute sickener for Gresley after skimming Steve Dolby on the edge of the box but Kevin Lane sidefooted his cross well over Austin’s bar.
Then Ian Earley had to move smartly to concede a corner after Dolby had misjudged Wayne Secker’s cross.
West headed clear after a mix up between Dolby and Austin and it seemed that Gresley, playing into a blustering, unpredictable wind, were beginning to run their luck a little too far.
Beresford eased the pressure with a first time volley over the bar from Johnny Branch’s cross but straight away Austin was called back into brilliant action to block Trace Norton’s full-blooded effort from the edge of the box.
Minutes later the Gresley keeper justified his rave ratings again when he stopped Kenny Hall’s firm, downward header from ten yards on the line.
One had the feeling that if Gresley could hold on till half time all would be well but five minutes before the break the Moatmen suffered a major blow when West was replaced by substitute Kevin Banton.
Predictably, the Harrison’s onslaught slackened after the break as reshuffled Gresley, now with the wind behind them, inched their way into the game.
Dave Butler had the chance to snatch a win on the hour after Dolby’s clearance had caught the home defence cold and Beresford had rolled an inviting cross into the box but the veteran midfielder shot hopelessly wide.
But it mattered not, for despite one moment of horror as centre forward Terry Knight had the ball in the Gresley net – knocked in with his hand, as it turned out – Rovers now had enough control to play out the final few minutes. Then the celebrations began.
Harrison’s (0) 0
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Harrison’s: Banks, Campbell, Parkin, Bestall, Calvin, Hall, Secker, Lane, Knight, Norton, Whitehouse. Sub: Nicholls.
Gresley Rovers: Austin, Laws, Earley, West (Banton 40), Dolby, King, Arthur, Butler, Branch, Beresford, Philpott.
