Gresley Rovers vs Derby County
The Moatmen see stars – David Lawrence – Burton Mail
Arthur Cox’s booming voice echoed around the Moat Ground last night as he roared his instructions to a star studded Derby County line-up.
The Rams were playing Gresley Rovers to mark the official opening of the club’s new floodlights which shone magnificently throughout last night’s tussle.
And though Cox was tight lipped following the game, he did say the Moatmen “had done well” after Derby had scraped a 2-0 victory over Frank Northwood’s troops.
Before kick off, the Rams’ boss joked in the dressing room seemingly unconcerned about what could follow. The facts were there for all to see – Derby without a goal in four consecutive league games – and Gresley fresh from a 10-0 drubbing of Oldswinford on Saturday.
Rumours circulated before the game over which of the ‘regulars’ would play – but no-one expected a Derby County side with six first team players included.
Nigel Callaghan and Gresley old boy Phil Gee were involved after long injuries and the former, playing at centre forward, netted both Derby goals.
In fact he was so sharp that Nick Pickering, dormant on the wing, must have been anxious about his place for the visit of Wimbledon on Saturday.
But given a virtual First Division team as opponents, it was Gresley Rovers who rightly deserved the cheers of the 905 fans who had filed into the ground.
Graham Fearn, tipped for a share of the coach’s job following the dismissal of Phil Marandola, was outstanding in midfield. By the second half, some of his, some of his brilliance had rubbed off on Richard Denby and Peter Perry who relished the opportunity of a game against the stars.
With a forward line worthy of a place in any league side, the Rams looked much the sharper early on and though Dean Page refused to be upstaged, he got a bit carried away after 16 minutes upending Callaghan in the box.
The nippy frontman slammed his spot kick wide of the diving Bob Aston who was another to have an inspired game.
In the ensuing minutes, Derby continued to push and Aston first denied Gee, keeping out the striker’s fierce shot, and then scrambled Pickering’s shot away for a corner. From the kick off Geriant Williams hoisted a cross to Gee only for Aston to rob the former Moatman of his glory.
With so much going on in the Gresley goalmouth, it took 35 minutes before they won their first corner and though easily cleared by the defence. Martin Haskins volleyed just too high from the edge of the area.
Eddie Lee and Paul Acklam were replaced in the interval with Dave Brandon and Robert Haynes and this seemed to set Gresley in motion. Fearn will cherish memories of leaving Welsh international Williams sprawled on the floor and some dazzling footwork from Denby brought comparisons with some Brazilian whiz kid.
But for all their tenacity and cheek, the Moatmen could not find the net and the ball gradually found its way down the other end where it was left to Aston to deny the Rams.
He brilliantly tipped Gary Micklewhite’s shot over the bar but was helpless when Callaghan thundered home his second, a rasping drive from the edge of the area after a good run from Micklewhite down the flank.
Gresley’s best chances came towards the end when Astley succeeded in heading over the advancing keeper only to see the ball land on the top of the net and then in the spate of four minutes just before the end, Derby were lucky to escape.
An inch-perfect pass from Fearn sent Andy Moore through but Derby keeper Martin Taylor was quick off his line and the striker fired wide.
Moments later, Steve Astley headed a cross away from Taylor but the keeper was agile enough to throw himself on the line to save Brandon’s follow up.
A 2-0 defeat it may have been but Derby County were given a few anxious moments on their way to such a hard earned victory which delighted the sizable crowd who also dug deep to give £175 for a collection towards the Children in Need Appeal.
Gresley Rovers (0) 0
Derby County (1) 2
Scorer: Callaghan 16 (pen), 58.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Fernihough, Perry, Denby, Haskins, Page, Moore, Fearn, Acklam (Haynes 45), Astley, Lee (Brandon 45).
Derby County: M Taylor, Patterson, Briscoe, G Williams (Ramage 63), Philips, Cross (P Williams 86), Micklewhite. Gee (Green 75), Callaghan, McCord, Pickering (S Taylor 68). Sub not used: Corbett.
Referee: G Stones (Walton on Trent).
Attendance: 905
