Racing Club Warwick vs Gresley Rovers
Gresley Rovers went into this game on the back of a 4-0 home win against Buxton in the midweek Derbyshire Senior Cup clash.
And that result provided the confidence that Gresley showed in this game. The pitch, little more than mud bath, had been subject to two inspections earlier in the day. But it was the visitors who adapted to the conditions.
Gresley made a flying start and things looked ominous for The Racers with Chris Gray heading wide after some good build up work from Andy Bourne, Gary Smith and Gary White.
On 6 minutes Craig Hopkins found Gray who in turn found Bourne whose lob grazed the outside of the post.
Adam Kinder had an opportunity for the home side when he received a pass from Steve Cooper but his shot went straight to James Lindley.
On 15 minutes Gresley got their opening goal. A half cleared ball by Nick McFarlane was picked up by Richard Wardle who ran on a few steps and then cracked a low shot into the bottom corner of the net for his third goal of the season.
Jamie Barrett did well to force a corner after riding two challenges but unfortunately it came to nothing.
Gresley didn't have to wait much longer when on 21 minutes they beat the home side's off side trap. Bourne sent a through ball through a flat defence and Smith easily beat the Racers keeper to make it 2-0.
Gresley were awarded a throw in and Parkinson sent one of his trademark long throws into the area that cause the home defence major difficulties. The panicking Matt Ward looked to have headed an own goal until he was rescued by Kim Green who cleared off the line to save his colleague's blushes.
On 34 minutes Warwick had their best chance of the half when Marcus French met Danny Hollywood's free kick with a close-range header that brought off a superb save by the Gresley keeper Lindley.
Seconds later the ball was down the other end for Gresley's third goal. Again the visitors breached the offside trap with Bourne playing the pass for Barrett to run onto and beat the keeper.
Warwick's defence appeared to be falling to pieces as they almost gifted Gresley a fourth goal. Barrett whipped in an in swinging corner from the left and Green flicked the ball towards his own net but a superb reaction save by Hately prevented the goal.
In first half stoppage Gresley went four up. Again Smith punished the static Warwick defence, waiting forlornly for an offside flag. The striker lifting his shot over the helpless Hately after Hopkins had sliced open the back line with his pass to Smith.
Warwick began the second half much brighter and Kinder played a useful ball through to Cooper but the final shot went well over from 22 yards.
On 53 minutes Warwick reduced the deficit. Hopkins was adjudged to have fouled Cooper in the box and the home side were awarded a spot kick. Paul John made no mistake sending Lindley the wrong way.
Gresley manager Jon Newsome made his first change on 59 minutes when he replaced Bourne with Neil Kitching and the striker could have made an immediate impact. Smith sent a ball wide for Wardle who sent in a low cross to the near post that Kitching met but his close range shot was saved by Hately.
Suicidal defending by the home side almost gave Gresley their deserved fifth goal when an Ian Bluck free kick was headed narrowly wide of his own goal by Hollywood.
Kinder then had an effort at the other end roll just wide of the upright and Lindley did well to tip over a shot by John.
Hately was called on to twice to block efforts from Gary White as Gresley looked to add to the home side's agony as they continued to pile on the pressure.
To Warwick's credit they did not cave in completely and Lindley did well to tip over a vicious shot by John.
On 84 minutes Smith completed his hat trick when he smashed in Gresley's fifth of the match from close range.
Things could have been even worse for the home side. Parkinson was unlucky to see his header from a White corner go just over the bar and Kitching missing a good chance when well placed.
Racing Club Warwick (0) 1
Gresley Rovers (4) 5
Scorers: John (pen) 53 (Racing Club Warwick), Wardle 15, Smith 21, 45, 84, Barrett 34 (Gresley Rovers).
Racing Club Warwick: Hately, John, McFarlane (Rostron 75), Hollywood, Green, French, Hodson, Darlston, Cooper, Kinder, Ward (Beamon 85). Subs not used: Parsons, Darlington, Jones.
Gresley Rovers: Lindley, Bluck, Cheetham, Hopkins, Parkinson, Wardle, Barrett, Gray (Peters 72), Bourne (Kitching 59), Smith (Tomlinson 86), G White. Subs not used: Crawford, Roberts (gk).
Rovers Star Man: Gary Smith – deserved his hat trick.
Referee: I Bachelor (Bicester).
Attendance: 110
