Gresley Rovers vs Halesowen Harriers
Northwood axe falls on Aston – Andy Parker – Burton Mail
Rovers boss Frank Northwood was quick to swing the axe after seeing his new-look side gift Halesowen Harriers a point at the Moat Ground on Saturday.
Whereas Rovers teams of seasons past tended to be solid at the back but suspect elsewhere, the rebuilt Gresley looked decidedly wobbly in defence and thus some shining approach work and finishing failed to gain the maximum points return they merited.
And that meant no place on Monday’s team sheet for centre back Ray Skeemer or, more surprisingly, keeper Bob Aston.
Rovers’ skipper was quick to hold his hand up afterwards and admit responsibility for Harriers’ first goal, scored by Toby Hall after Aston had failed to hold an ill-advised back pass from Andy Moore.
But Northwood, perhaps harshly, also blames Aston for the visitor’s second equaliser, although a frighteningly square defence was more culpable as Paul Waddington broke clear to beat the onrushing keeper.
“I rate Bob as the best keeper in the West Midlands League but we all have sticky patches and he’s going to play his out in the reserves,” said Northwood whose wrath afterwards was barely contained.
It took the impressive Steve Astley to quell his chief’s rage with a stunning 73rd minute free kick from 18 yards that fairly flew into the top of the net.
New boy Chris Craddock, another recruit from Brereton Social, had earlier grabbed his second goal in as many outings after an untypical gaffe from Harriers defender Les Randle.
Astley restored Rovers lead when he put the finishing touch to good approach work by Richard Denby and Neil Lovell, but Waddington and three minutes later, Steve Field, threatened to spoil the party as Harriers showed once again their enduring ability to survive in the face of Moat Ground adversity.
In previous seasons the Black Country side have walked off with maximum points. Thanks to Astley, at least they didn’t achieve that this time.
Gresley Rovers (1) 3
Halesowen Harriers (0) 3
Scorers: Craddock 17, Astley 58, 73 (Gresley Rovers): Hall 53, Waddington 66, Field 69 (Halesowen Harriers).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Beattie, Perry, Denby, Skeemer (Fernihough 70), Page, Moore, Craddock (Hill 67), Wells, Astley, Lovell.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Steve Astley.
Referee: W Ellis (Wednesfield).
Attendance: 360
