Gresley Rovers vs Oldswinford
Mould on the mark – but Rovers falter – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Master juggler Frank Northwood reshuffled his Moat Ground talent yet again in an effort to find a satisfying blend against lowly Oldswinford.
But in the end it was defensive inadequacies, which again left Rovers with insufficient reward for their Saturday afternoon toils.
Twice Rovers allowed the Black Country side temporary relief from pressure and twice they were made to pay dearly.
An early period of almost total Gresley domination was rudely interrupted after a quarter of an hour when Oldswinford, who in Hugh Ledgister had the most potent attacking force on the field, forced two corners in quick succession.
Both times Rovers had ample opportunities to clear the danger but instead, after a comedy of miskicks, in the box the ball fell to midfield man John Horne who lashed home a fierce shot from close range.
Gresley’s response was predictably furious, but the first hint that it was not to be their day came when John Laws’ shot rebounded from the inside of a post on 25 minutes with the visitors in total disarray.
Gresley’s defensive insecurity was soon shown up again when Kevin Hamilton led a breakaway that ended only with a clawing save from Karl Austin.
Oldswinford’s rapid counters to Gresley’s more meticulous attacks continued to look the most likely source of a further score until new signing Peter Mould claimed his debut goal for Rovers on 33 minutes.
Ian Earley lifted a long clearance from defence and Mould showed poise, pace and power to outstrip a rapidly back pedalling defence before scoring with an angled drive.
Gresley looked more dangerous after this and went ahead thanks to the aerial dominance of Ray Skeemer a minute before half time, his head on from Steve Dolby’s throw being flicked into the goalmouth by Laws for Brian Beresford to race in and score from point blank range.
A comfortable win looked on the cards as the teams switched ends with Earley, Martin Devaney and Beresford all going close before another defensive muddle left Rovers winded again.
No-one could stop Paul Welch’s progress down the left and when his hard, low cross was only partly blocked by Skeemer and Austin failed to gather, Ledgister zoomed in to convert the chance from close range.
Gresley pressed for a winner with Mould twice close to increasing his tally but with Ledgister a continuing thorn in the Gresley side the Moatmen were, perhaps, a little relieved at maintaining their long unbeaten run at the end of the day.
Gresley Rovers (2) 2
Oldswinford (1) 2
Scorers: Mould 33, Beresford 44 (Gresley Rovers); Horne 16, Ledgister ? (Oldswinford).
Gresley Rovers: Austin, Arthur, Bromley, Skeemer, Dolby, Laws, Earley, Devaney (Banton 66), Mould, Beresford, Bottomley.
Oldswinford: Nash, Aston, Henley, Horne, Marlow (Taylor 68), Morton, Billingham, Hamilton, Ledgister, Nicholls, Welch.
Referee: P J Brookes (Stourbridge).
Attendance: 302
