Gresley Rovers vs Wednesfield Social
Top class – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley overcame the late loss of keeper Karl Austin and the spirited challenge of a tough, well organised Wednesfield to go top of the Banks’s League for the first time last night.
And the way that Rovers destroyed a Social side reduced to ten men by the sending off of danger man Sylvester Cunningham suggested that they could well be perched on their lofty pinnacle for some time to come.
Three goals in a scintillating five minute spell completely ruined any aspirations Wednesfield may have had of continuing their impressive march toward the upper reaches of the league – and inevitably it was that man Brian Beresford who put Rovers on their way.
A deadly double strike completely took the wind out of the visiting side that had Gresley looking ill-at-ease in the opening minutes.
With reserve team manager John Wayte forced to step in at the last moment for the absent Austin, Rovers looked understandably jittery as Wednesfield quickly stamped a mark of authority in midfield.
And when Wayte was mesmerised by a third minute cross to the far post from the left winger Gavin Prince, the stand-in keeper had to produce a brave block to stop striker Cunningham from registering a shock strike, Ian Pearsall tidying up the loose ball with a goal line clearance.
Cunningham’s threat was soon ended, however. The big number nine was clattered down close to the corner flag by Steve Dolby and promptly retaliated with a kick and a punch that laid out the Gresley stopper. Referee Brueton had no option but to order Cunningham off.
Suitably stung, Wednesfield succeeded in making light of the setback by continuing to press until being ruthlessly exposed in the 24th minute by a peach of a goal.
Jon Laws eased a period of penalty box pressure by releasing Rob Philpott into space on the left and his superb 60-yard ball across the width of the pitch freed Martin Devaney in the inside right position.
Devaney made to shoot, mis-hit and the ball ran conveniently for Beresford to race in at the far post and stretch the net.
Three minutes later Laws was there again, this time feeding Beresford on the left of the box. A devastating side step and tight-angled shot did the rest.
Within a minute Gresley were an incredible three goals up and defender Alan Dawson’s blunder had let in Devaney to hit a scorcher into the top right of the net from just outside the area.
Wednesfield were understandably reeling at this stage but gained heart through a looping header from Prince that deceived Wayte and crept beneath the bar, and the Gresley keeper’s 43rd minute save from Keith Kelly’s flashing header was crucial.
Wayte continued to prove an adequate stand-in in the second half as Wednesfield refused to surrender, although with Rovers back four in commanding form and Clive Arthur an increasing right wing influence there was a sense of inevitability when the former Albion winger’s corner found forward Devaney unmarked in the six yard box to finish the job.
Gresley Rovers (3) 4
Wednesfield Social (1) 1
Scorers:Beresford 24, 27, Devaney 28,79 (Gresley Rovers); Prince 41 (Wednesfield Social).
Gresley Rovers: Wayte, Bottomley, Bromley, Pearsall, Dolby, Devaney, Austin, Philpott, Laws, Beresford, Taylor (Coppinger 76).
Wednesfield Social: Chandler, Beattie, Bradburn, Dawson, Sandland, Hill, Liggins, Cunningham, Kelly, Prince (Parke 84).
Rovers man-of-the-match: Ian Pearsall
Referee: A G Brueton (Lichfield).
Attendance: 360
