Don Amott Cup
The Moat Ground
Wednesday, 5th May 2021, 7.30pm
Rovers Make It Three Cup Wins
By Alfie Burley
An Oli Bailey hat-trick guided Rovers to a 5-0 win over Mickleover Sports in their third game of their Don Amott Cup.
A dominant first-half display was enough in the end, and despite a second-half improvement by the visitors, Rovers maintained their clean sheet and five-goal win.
It was a bright start from Rovers, with mistakes at the back gifting them opportunities. The home side weren’t making the most of the errors however, with two crosses going wayward, and Oli Bailey firing over the crossbar from a difficult angle.
Gresley didn’t let these early misses phase them, however, as they continued to dominate. In the 12th minute they nearly took the lead when Alex Morris nodded a corner back to the penalty spot, but Alby Lansdowne couldn’t quite wrap his foot around the ball sending it flying over.
Rovers were lucky not to concede a couple of minutes later, though. A headed pass through the centre found number nine, but his chipped attempt was tame and straight into the arms of Joe Fryatt.
Sports would live to regret the miss, as straight down the other end, a throw from George Clarke found Munday free down the right hand side. His cross was perfect, straight onto the head of Bailey who made no mistake in flicking the ball past the goalkeeper.
The chances just kept coming for the Moatmen. Bradley Maslen-Jones did superbly to win possession in midfield to find Kane Lee. The in-form winger then slid a pass through to Seal, who couldn’t quite control it, the ball bobbling up and into the hands of the ‘keeper.
The first half felt like a basketball game, as Sports then had a great chance to equalise. Joe Fryatt was forced to parry a shot from the edge, before number ten headed off-target from the recycled cross.
Bailey may not be known for his heading ability, but he nearly got his second of the evening when Morris once again won the initial contact on the header, but Bailey’s flick went just over the crossbar.
In fact he did have his second headed goal of the game in the 28th minute. Kane Lee persevered brilliantly down the right to find Bailey in the middle who thumped a header past the goalkeeper to give Rovers an early two-goal lead.
He would get his hat-trick just four minutes later. After winning the ball in midfield Seal charged forward before sending the ball square to Bailey. The striker spun his marker twice before finding the corner and completing his first half treble.
After a flurry of goals, the game seemed to calm down for a bit, Mickleover did see a dangerous free-kick blocked by the wall, whilst at the other end Danny Holmes’ powerful effort was well saved in goal, but Mickleover seemed keen to not concede again before the break.
However, it would go from bad to worse for the visitors as Bailey was brought down in the area, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the penalty spot. Seal stepped up and confidently sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to stretch Rovers’ lead to 4-0.
Following the break, Mickleover started brightly, the left-back overlapping before finding his number ten in the box. The forward’s shot, however, was straight at Fryatt.
In the 52nd minute, Rovers would have a glorious chance to make it five when a defensive error allowed Bailey time and space in the area. The winger sent a pass across the face of goal, but Munday couldn’t quite reach the ball.
Following a stream of substitutes for the home side, two combined to create a chance in the 61st minute. A short free kick from Seal was dummied by Paul Sullivan to allow trialist a clear sight of goal only for the trialist’s cleanly struck volley, to be saved well by the goalkeeper.
The trialist then had another chance as a goal kick from Fryatt found its way over the entire Mickleover defence and to the feet of the substitute. His effort, however, was well saved again by the ‘keeper.
Sports definitely improved on their first half showing in the second period, and nearly pulled one back when number ten took aim just inside the box. His shot didn’t trouble Fryatt though, the ball flying wide of the mark.
They had an even better chance in the final ten minutes, as a cross from the left was turned goalward by the Sports midfielder, yet Fryatt was on hand again to deny them.
Ultimately it would be Rovers that would extend their advantage. A brilliant turn and shot from trialist cannoned off the crossbar before falling to the feet of the waiting Keith Thomas, who couldn’t miss from a couple of yards.
The 5-0 victory sees Rovers claim a third consecutive victory in the Don Amott Cup, and in turn take a massive step towards qualifying for the next stage of the competition.
