Gresley Rovers vs GKN Sankey
Gresley let down Moat faithful – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers boss Frank Northwood faces a desperate search for a new script for his home-shy warriors.
The old Moat Ground farce is becoming a too wearied a story for the Gresley faithful, who have now endured an unbroken succession of disappointments on their own stamping ground.
The infuriating thing, of course, is that away from home Gresley have performed consistently well this season, but there was never any sign of cohesion about last night’s performance.
Even the introduction of new striker Dave Morrison failed to pep the Moatmen after Gary Stevens had shot them into a 32nd minute lead.
Indeed the former Oldbury man’s Gresley debut turned into a bit of a nightmare when he squandered his side’s best chance of winning the game with virtually the last kick of the evening.
As usual, the game had started brightly for Gresley with Neil Lovell prominent on the left and Gary Stevens a lively spark in the front line. But after 20 minutes of domination Rovers had still only mustered one blocked shot from Morrison when GKN suddenly showed they could play football themselves.
Dean Page, Rovers only consistently successful performer on the night, put in a timely clearance to rob striker Martin Swann then centre half Paul Rhodes almost surprised Bob Aston with an audacious effort from fully 40 yards that the keeper clutched skilfully in the top corner.
Suddenly it was Gresley who were having to do the defending, an air of hesitancy in the centre of their rearguard giving the 255 crowd more than one anxious moment as first Mark Bromley and then Aston made vital interceptions.
It all seemed to have come right on the half hour, however, Lovell planted a superb cross right to Stevens’ feet some ten yards from goal and the little front runner calmly planted the ball into Glyn Pearce’s bottom corner.
Yet again, though, Rovers were just flattering to deceive. After the turn round they had absolutely nothing to offer in terms of cohesive football lowly GKN equalised on the hour.
Mark Rogers burst past the struggling Steve Dolby and, although his shot was deflected wide, from the second of two successive corners Rhodes climbed unchallenged at the far post to plant a header into the net via Aston’s frantic dive and a post.
Gresley briefly threatened to restore their advantage with a spell of territorial domination but Stevens, presented with a clear opening by Rhodes’ poor backpass, completely miskicked in front of goal.
Then, with the seconds ticking away, Page, Martin Dick and then Stevens combined in a superb, sweeping move but as Morrison burst through the middle he lost control, allowing Rhodes to ensure a draw with a saving tackle.
Last night’s was almost certainly the last ever visit to the Moat Ground by GKN Sankey. The Telford-based club have been told that their ground, owned by the industrial giant from which the club takes its name, that their ground is to be sold off.
Gresley Rovers (1) 1
GKN Sankey (0) 1
Scorers: Stevens 31 (Gresley Rovers); Rhodes 61 (GKN Sankey).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Bottomley, Bromley, Dolby, Jackson (MacKenzie 70), Page, Dick, Stevens, Morrison, Hill, Lovell.
GKN Sankey: Preece, Macreath, MacKenzie, Moore, Rhodes, Macauley, Lochrie, Guy, Swan, Roger, Cromford. Sub: Howells.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Dean Page.
Referee: G Roderick (Castle Bromwich).
Attendance: 255
