Blakenall vs Gresley Rovers
It’s grim for Gresley – Rex Page – Burton Mail
If Gresley Rovers are to fulfil their ambition of winning the Banks’s League title, they can ill-afford few more afternoons like this.
After two fluent performances at the Moat Ground, Rovers seemed to be nearing peak form after an indifferent start to the campaign.
But at Somerfield Road, a slipshod and lethargic display against a side barely able to keep themselves out of the re-election zone cost them the chance to move into a threatening second position in the table.
Rovers lived dangerously and briefly saw their unbeaten run put to risk when Blakenall brought a turgid and mistake-ridden game to life by taking a 70th minute lead.
Gresley hit back to capture the lead with two goals in the next six minutes, but such was their state of disarray they presented the Bloxwich side with the opportunity to climax a furious spell of goalmouth activity with the 79th minute goal which earned them an unexpected point.
The continued absence of striker Martin Devaney disrupted the balance of Rovers’ attack, Clive Arthur having to switch to a central role to strip them of the width which has embarrassed opposing defences of late.
Teenager David Smith was drafted into midfield and, though he made a useful contribution, it was not a day a young and inexperienced player to make a decisive mark on the game.
Gresley had slightly the better of a dismal first half but rarely looked capable of disturbing the composure of a determined defence.
Arthur was unlucky when his close-range header was cleared off the line after striking Gary Thomas and a sizzling right foot drive from Kevin Banton forced Mark Hewitt into his one testing save of the half.
There was desperately in need of a goal, though it was a shock to the system when Blakenall broke the deadlock with 20 minutes remaining.
Despite being challenged by two defenders, Davinder Singh managed to squeeze in a low centre from the right. Karl Austin’s electrifying reflexes enabled him to keep out a shot from Roger Cope, but he could do nothing to prevent Ray Downey from driving in the loose ball.
Gresley were finally stung into life and it took them only three minutes to level. John Laws hit a low centre to the feet of Brain Beresford and although he delayed his shot long enough for Blakenall to make a partial clearance, the ball broke loose for Banton to score from eight yards.
Rovers looked to be home and dry three minutes later when Beresford drove in his 15th goal of the season after a superbly-worked free kick routine and bewildered the home defence.
But another sloppy piece of defending was punished by Blakenall in the 79th minute. Rovers got in a tangle when a free kick was lofted into the area and Clive Bland seized on the error with a firm low drive.
Blakenall (0) 2
Gresley Rovers (0) 2
Scorers: Downey 70, Bland 79 (Blakenall): Banton 73, Beresford 76 (Gresley Rovers).
Blakenall: Hewitt, Thomas, Lakin, Philpott I, Hartshorne, Downey, Singh, Whitehouse, Cope, Bland, Woodward. Sub not used: Hentsh.
Gresley Rovers: Austin, Bottomley, Earley, Laws, Dolby, Bromley, Arthur, Philpott R, Smith, Beresford, Banton. Sub not used: West.
