Gresley Rovers vs Malvern Town
Pearsall shines through the gloom – Mike StJohn – Burton Mail
In a game memorable only for it’s lack of sparkle and goalmouth incident, Gresley Rovers emerged with a hard earned point in their Banks’s Brewery League stalemate with title contenders Malvern Town on Saturday.
After the 4-0 midweek humbling at Hinckley, Gresley played with pride if not total conviction and they were always hard pressed to get any real reward from a midfield battle.
Out of the gloom shone Ian Pearsall who played with poise and style in his first full game for the Rovers.
On a day when both defences stood firm few avenues were left open at either end, although Malvern central defender Tudor did cause some alarm in the visitor’s camp when he floated a 30 yard back pass over his goalkeeper and on to the top of the net.
Gresley, who had the best of the rain and wind lashed first half, played with the elements and might have snatched a goal when Clive Arthur twisted his marker on the left side of the penalty area before forcing keeper Hingley to pull off a fine save at the foot of the left post.
Ian Earley found a generous amount of space to crack a chance just wide, and then Peter Mould sprung high to head Martin Devaney’s left wing cross just over.
Malvern operated solidly enough but created few chances at the other end as Karl Austin in the Rovers’ goal had a relatively quiet afternoon.
Austin, out of action for a good 15 minutes or so, did react quickly and skilfully to deal with a tricky cross shot by East on the right, however, as he snatched the ball from under the bar.
As the first half wore on chances fell few and far between and it was clear that Gresley missed the much-acclaimed Beresford.
Malvern lapsed towards half time and two half chances were given to Gresley.
An error by Pullen led to Mould shooting over and then a kamikaze type back pass from Moverley might have been snapped up had Beresford been there.
The game was always in need of a goal but both sides seemed content to carry on in much the same vein after the interval.
But for much of the time Gresley’s back four snuffed out the Malvern approach.
There was a moment’s excitement when Rovers’ Clive Arthur thundered over a great centre from the right. But the ball whipped over everyone’s head a great scoring opportunity was lost.
At the other end Austin was called to make his only real save of the match when Mark Bromley’s back pass fell short, Round nipped in to intercept but the goalkeeper blocked the ball and Pearsall cleared the danger.
A misunderstanding with Dolby led to Austin flapping at a cross from the far right, and Moverley was only inches away at the far post.
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Malvern Town (0) 0
Gresley Rovers: Austin, Bottomley, Bromley, Pearsall, Dolby, Laws, Arthur, Philpott, Mould, Devaney, Earley. Sub not used: Harlow.
Malvern Town: Hingley, Price, Kerby, Moverly, Tudor, Pullen, East, Mogford, Round, Shinton, Hall. Sub not used: Rawle.
Referee: S Millidge (Hinckley).
