Tipton Town vs Gresley Rovers
Match report - Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Battered by gales and half-drowned by incessant rain, Gresley Rovers waded to the hardest-earned of wins in the swamps of Tipton last night.
Battling against the wind in the gloomy half-light, the Moatmen kept their hosts in check thanks to some resolute defending and an inspirational goal from former Burton Albion defender John Bottomley.
And when the gale at their backs proved more hindrance than help after the interval Rovers’ victory was clinched by the cool finishing of Brian Beresford and a slice of wind-assisted good fortune by Rob Philpott.
After Gresley had survived some early jitters they went ahead on the half hour. Steve Dolby headed a corner straight into the air and as a clutch of players fought to bring the descending ball under control Bottomley weaved his way past a string of tackles before burying a low shot.
Three minutes later, though, a rare blunder by Austin let Tipton in for an equaliser. The Gresley keeper appeared to have Gavin Whitehouse’s centre under control but the ball slipped from his grasp giving Rob Ford a simple goal.
Gresley kept their heads, though, and scored the goal that settled the issue on 62 minute. Ian Earley’s long ball from defence was headed down superbly by Martin Devaney into the path of Beresford who rounded the keeper and drilled home a low shot from an acute angle despite the efforts of two defenders on the line.
Ten minutes from time Philpott scored the streakiest goal you’ll ever see when his up and under slipped out of keeper Keith Garrington’s paws and into the net, but by that time Tipton were a well-beaten side.
Tipton Town (1) 1
Gresley Rovers (1) 3
Scorers: Ford 33 (Tipton Town); Bottomley 30, Beresford 62, Philpott 80 (Gresley Rovers).
Tipton Town: Garrington, Horne, King, Nash (Rogers 75), Cook, Smith, Burford, Whitehouse, Andrews, Lane, Ford.
Gresley Rovers: Austin, Earley, Bromley, Dolby, King, Philpott, Laws (Arthur 60), Devaney, Beresford, Stringer.
Referee: W T Ellis (Wednesfield).
