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McGinlay on a Moat Ground mission
Story courtesy of Glenn Brookes - Burton Mail
John McGinlay
Gresley Rovers boss John McGinlay hopes playing high-flying Solihull Borough at the Moat Ground tomorrow will suit his side down to the ground.
The former Bolton striker thinks that getting away from a run of matches against teams in the lower reaches of the Dr Martens Western Division and facing a side who play good football may just bring the best out of his players.Said McGinlay today: "Tomorrows game will be a good test for us. Recently we have been playing games against teams at the bottom end of the table and it is always nice to play teams near the top. They play good football and are unbeaten away from home in league but players seem to give that little bit extra when they come up against the topsides. The league games we have played since I came to the club have been dog fights, so maybe tomorrow will see a bit of a different game."
A potential goal-keeping crisis at the Moat Ground has been averted with the news that Notts County have agreed to allow 16-year-old Simon Baldwin, who is on a month's loan at Meadow Lane, to play for Rovers tomorrow.
With Richard Selby setting out on the comeback trail after an eye injury and Ian Wright seemingly out of favour, Baldwin's return is a major boost.
"I spoke to Notts County and they agreed to let us play Simon, even though he was going to play for their youth team tomorrow," said McGinlay. "Selby trained last night and hopefully he will play for the reserves tomorrow as he needs to get his confidence back after the injury. He feels OK, although he still has some bruising around the eye."
New signing Barry Woolley looks set to be given his Rovers debut, with Neil Broadhurst (groin) and Andy Cheetham (back) definitely out, while Matt Warren (hamstring) is unlikely to be risked.
"Matt Warren trained last night and as long as there is no reaction today he will go with the reserves as we want him to make sure he is right and not rush him back."
Gresley from: Baldwin, Roberts, Reynolds, Bluck, Wardle, Middleton, Woolley, Coates, Peters, Gardner, Tucker, Allsop, McGinlay, Dennis, Sidhu.
Gresley reserves travel to face Barwell Athletic tomorrow (2.45pm).
Reserves from: Selby, Wright, Evans, Bateman, Millington, Lewsley, Pole, Allum, Tilley, Wagstaff, Kitching, Willson, Grant, Smith, Tyrell, Allman, Norton, Warren.
