Mangotsfield United vs Gresley Rovers
Gresley thrashed
Where do you start to describe this game which was possibly the worst performance for quite a few seasons.
Manager Jon Newsome made changes to the side that had been rolled over by Bromsgrove Rovers in the dismal FA Cup showing.
Mark Peters, Andy Bourne and Earl Alexander were all started and new signing striker Paul Tomlinson made his debut.
The beginning of the rout came as early as 40 seconds. After winning a corner straight from the first whistle, Mangotsfield's new boy Jack Pitcher, in acres of space, was given the perfect start when he smashed home his first goal for the Gloucestershire club.
On 3 minutes the home side doubled their tally. A free kick by Dave Elsey from just outside the area beat James Lindley leaving the Gresley keeper stranded.
It was now that Gresley needed some resolute defending and 'on-field' leadership; sadly neither was forthcoming and on 16 minutes the game was over as a contest.
A long ball played down the right flank caught defender Gary White flat-footed and Darren Edwards seized the opportunity to whip in a cross that David Seal simply had to tap into the net.
On 19 minutes, Gresley created on of a handful of chances. They were awarded a free kick and midfielder Michael Crawford was unlucky when his shot narrowly scraped the wrong side of the post with home keeper Robert Clarke nowhere near it.
On 22 minutes Gresley agony increased as Mangotsfield went 4 up.
Pitcher was again put through on goal by a ball that left the Gresley defence floundering. Lindley came racing off his line to clear the ball and upended Pitcher who was awarded a free kick. Gresley were made to suffer for this twice!
From the resulting free kick Elsey crashed his shot against post and was fortunate to get a second bite of the cherry when the referee decreed the Gresley wall had not been the statutory 10 meters back. This time he made no mistake as his shot hit the underneath of the bar and into the net.
For the second half Newsome made changes to the side bringing on Carl Timms and Jamie Barrett for Crawford and White.
One of the few Gresley players to earn any credit from this performance was Earl Alexander who showed some good touches on the ball.
And it was the youngster who set up Chris Parkins for a couple of good chances to reduce the deficit; one, on 63 minutes, bringing an excellent save from Clarke.
However, Gresley failed to stem the powerful home tide and on 65 minutes Mangotsfield went 5 up.
Mike Davis left Richard Wardle in his wake and Edwards easily headed his cross home, again with no defenders in attendance.
Things were going from bad to worse as Wardle was easily robbed of the ball in his own area and Leon Cozens laid the ball on for Seal to knock in at the far post.
To rub salt in the already gaping Gresley wounds another goal came with only 3 minutes left of normal time.
Stephen Campbell miss hit his shot and was delighted to see the ball slowly roll over the line in off the post to complete Gresley's total humiliation.
Mangotsfield United (4) 7
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Scorers: Pitcher 1, Elsey 3, 24, Seal 16, 79, Edwards 65, Campbell 87.
Mangotsfield United: Clarke, Summers, Hallett (Crowley 70), Hendy, Elsey, Loydon, Sims, Davis (Cozens 70), Edwards, Seal, Pitcher (Campbell 60). Sub not used: Perry.
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Wardle, G White (Barrett 45), Cheetham, Bluck, Peters, Bourne, Crawford (Timms 45), Tomlinson, Parkins (Gray 67), Alexander: Sub not used: Clarke (gk).
Gresley Star Man – Earl Alexander – only one to come out of the game with any credit.
Referee: T Curtis (Bath).
Attendance: 236
