Gresley Rovers vs Hinckley Athletic
Injuries spoil Rovers’ party – Rex Page – Burton Mail
Battle-scarred Gresley Rovers were left to count the cost of a robust Boxing Day battle at the Moat Ground.
Top-of-the-table Gresley twice sacrificed a hard-earned lead to squander precious Banks’s League points.
And, possibly more damaging still to their title hopes, Gresley lost two vital components of their goal machine in a bizarre sequence of mishaps.
Graham Jones was already limping towards an early shower when front running partner Tracey Norton was stretchered off in the 17th minute – and subsequently taken to hospital by ambulance – after tearing a groin muscle.
Since Hinckley also lost striker Keith Scott with a knee injury in the 22nd minute and Rovers were also briefly reduced to ten men while another forward, Paul Acklam, received treatment for a damaged foot, there was a distinct lack of seasonal goodwill.
Gresley, of course, suffered most, losing the balance and rhythm in attack which as enabled them to indulge in one goal feast after another since Jones and Norton were imported to reinforce their attack.
Ultimately, though, their failure to win could be laid fairly and squarely at the feet of a defence which presented Athletic both goals – suitably gift-wrapped for the occasion.
With a gusting wind at their backs, Rovers at least gave glimpses of their best form before the interval despite the premature departures of Jones and Norton.
More often than not Acklam was at the heart of Gresley’s best moves in a one-sided first half.
The big striker was denied by the reflexes of Paul Bliss when he produced a fiercely-driven angled shot after Ian Wells had sliced open the Hinckley defence in the 13th minute.
Acklam then headed Andy Moore’s cross inches too high before giving Rovers a deserved lead in the 43rd minute.
Richard Denby teed up Wells for a firm low shot which, Acklam diverted past a startled Bliss.
And only the finely-tuned reactions of Bliss prevented the menacing Gresley striker from adding a second with a close-range header in first half injury time and substitute Bobby Evans, making his debut, had struck the crossbar with a delicately-flighted chip.
Rovers were not nearly so dominant after the interval as Hinckley, now benefiting from the blustery conditions, made their presence felt for the first time.
Nonetheless, it required a slack piece of defending to allow the Robins back into the game.
Paul Lambert’s surging run was allowed to continue unchecked until he delivered a pass to the unmarked Andy Clark, who supplied a cross tailor-made for the equally unattended Steve Carr to head home from six yards.
But Rovers’ fans were given renewed hope in the 71st minute. A sweeping pass from substitute Kieron Smith exposed Hinckley’s determination to commit reinforcements to attack and the hugely talented Wells did the rest.
He beat Lambert to the ball on the right-hand edge of the area and expertly chipped the ball into the far corner as Bliss raced from his line in an attempt to block the route to goal.
Just when it seemed that Rovers had done enough to secure maximum points, however, delight turned to despair in the 78th minute.
There appeared to be no real danger until Dean Page, patrolling his own area, intercepted Simpson’s pass, but the Gresley defender dwelt too long on the ball and substitute Steve Gray nipped in to prod the ball past Aston.
Gresley Rovers (1) 2
Hinckley Athletic (0) 2
Scorers: Acklam 43, Wells 71 (Gresley Rovers); Carr 62, Gray 78 (Hinckley Athletic).
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Dick, Guest, Denby, Haskins, Page, Moore, Norton (Evans 17), Acklam, Wells, Jones (Smith 17).
Hinckley Athletic: Bliss, Markham, Allen, Sales, Lambert, Allcock, Clark, Simpson, Scott (Gray 22), Carr, Hill. Sub not used: Bennett.
Gresley man-of-the-match: Ian Wells.
Referee: G Roderick (Castle Bromwich).
Attendance: 520
