Gresley Rovers vs Gainsborough Trinity
Cup that! – Rex Page – Burton Mail
Frank Northwood’s magnificent Moat Ground marauders are on the march.
And in a game that ebbed and flowed like a spring tide, it was will o’the wisp front-runner Keiron Smith who again emerged as Gresley’s hero as Northern Premier Leaguers Gainsborough Trinity were hustled out of the FA Cup.
Smith had scored twice at Northolme on Saturday as Rovers fought their way to a 2-2 in this first qualifying round tie and last night he twice helped drag Rovers up by the bootlaces in an enthralling replay battle.
At times Gainsborough must have felt like uninvited guests at a private party as a crowd of 640 poured into this historic ground to witness a landmark in Rovers’ 106-year history – the switching on of their impressive new floodlights.
Trinity played their part to illuminate the game, but in the end they went the way of all gatecrashers – unceremoniously ushered out of the front door.
The formbook suggested that Rovers still had a tough test on their hands, despite the psychological benefits carried over from Saturday’s deadlock.
So it proved in the 14th minute when Trentan Wiggan, a constant threat, profited from a piece of indecisive defending to link up with Neil Jenkinson and pave the way for John Schofield to sweep home a low shot from 12 yards.
Rovers were not behind for long, however. With 19 minutes gone Bob Aston’s huge upfield punt – a threatening tactic at Northolme on Saturday – exposed Trinity’s brittle defence.
Russell Simpson never looked in command of the situation and, as Smith breathed down his neck, he sent a header over the head of bewildered keeper Dave Kaye and into the gaping net.
Kaye was instantly in action, clutching a beautifully struck volley from Dave Beattie, but Trinity began to take command in midfield despite the industry and aggression of John Bottomley.
Wiggan set up a chance for Simon Dwyer to scrape the top of the bar with a sizzling first time shot and Schofield was uncomfortably close after a retreating Gresley defence had allowed him the space and time to tee up a 25-yard shot.
The second half began with a blur of action. Steve Astley, twisting and turning past two tackles after a resourceful piece of work by Richard Denby, forced a breathtaking save from Kaye and, at the other end, Aston had to be at his best to cope with a deflected shot from Gary Furlong.
The pace of the game relented, however, and Trinity again promised to take complete control. But after coping with a long spell of persistent though not always menacing attacks, Rovers suddenly unleashed a bout of pressure which a hapless defence was incapable of resisting.
They went in front for the first time in the 75th minute. Kaye made an awful mess of his attempt to punch away Graham Fearn’s inswinging corner and in the scramble that followed, Smith hooked in his fifth goal in four games from close range.
The outcome was never seriously in doubt after that as Gresley, now inspired by the impressive Astley, tore Trinity to shreds.
Substitute Andy Moore and Smith both went close before the final ruthless blow of execution was delivered in the final minute.
Astley was the creator with another teasing run. His shot was blocked; Smith’s stab came back off a defender, but Moore seized the chance to prod in his first goal for the club.
Gresley Rovers (1) 3
Gainsborough Trinity (1) 1
Scorers: Simpson (og) 19, Smith 75, Moore 90 (Gresley Rovers); Scholfield 14 (Gainsborough Trinity).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Beattie, Perry, Denby, Fernihough, Page, Fearn, Bottomley, Hill (Moore 58), Astley, Smith. Sub not used: Dolby.
Gainsborough Trinity: Kaye, Jones, Gaffney, Furlong, Simpson (Megson 56), Wood, Wiggan, Scholfield, Dwyer (Kay 78), Travis, Jenkinson.
Gresley man-of-the-match: John Bottomley.
Referee: W A Nuttall (Mansfield Woodhouse).
Attendance: 640
