Gresley Rovers vs Harrison's
Brian’s brace – Mike StJohn – Burton Mail
Brian Beresford rediscovered his goal scoring knack at the Moat Ground on Saturday when he potted both of Gresley’s goals to earn a narrow victory over Harrison’s.
The win stretched Gresley’s unbeaten league record to a staggering 30 games and means they have taken three points off Mick Plimmers new outfit this season.
Gresley made a whirlwind start to this Banks’s Brewery League clash as debutant Pete Mould whipped the ball into the side netting from the right by-line, and Martin Devaney smashed a 20-yarder a fraction wide.
Ex-Gresley player Phil ‘Dixie’ Dearn had Harrison’s only notable effort at goal – a speculative 25-yarder that skidded safely wide of the left post – before Rovers’ forceful opening was rewarded with a 14th minute goal.
Devaney showed a turn of speed as he moved up the right wing. He sent over a well flighted cross and Beresford sprang above the rest to glance a header past goalkeeper Kitson.
Referee Mr Rushton had occasion to pull out his book as Harrison’s Meeson deliberately handled the ball, and then, only four minutes later Gresley central defender Ray Skeemer was cautioned for tripping the advancing Bradbury five yards out of the penalty area.
Karl Austin was relatively inactive but when called on he showed his class as he dashed off his line to snatch the ball away from the quickly advancing Bradbury.
Gresley relaxed their grip towards the end of the first half, but began the second with a spell of out-and-out attacking football.
Devaney tested keeper Kitson with a powerful waist-high effort and then screwed the ball wide of the target from a narrow angle on the left.
A second goal arrived in the 59th minute as Beresford displayed another piece of mastery. John Laws’ through ball from the half way line cut through a square Harrison’s defence, and Beresford was on his way to his second goal.
Beresford looked up as Kitson strayed off his line, but instead of chipping the keeper, the Gresley striker went to the goalkeeper’s right.
He slipped past the goalkeeper and then danced and dodged his way past the covering Calvin to deposit the ball coolly into the back of the net.
The Great Wyrley outfit managed to pull a goal back in the 72nd minute, however. On a slick burst of speed up the left side by Morris, Gresley were caught out.
Morris’ low shot was only parried by Austin, the ball spun across the six yard box and Badbury was on hand to thunder it home at the far post.
Gresley Rovers (1) 2
Harrison’s (0) 1
Scorers: Beresford 14, 59 (Gresley Rovers): Badbury 72 (Harrison’s).
Gresley Rovers: Austin, Bottomley, Bromley, Dolby, Skeemer, King. Earley, Devaney, Mould (Arthur 62), Beresford, Laws.
Referee: Mr Rushton.
