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Frank Northwood was today hoping for one more memorable night to round off the greatest season in Gresley Rovers’ history.
Borrowash Victoria are the visitors tomorrow (7.30pm) for Rovers’ 73rd and final match of the season that has seen them lift the Banks’s League title and take part in one of the greatest Wembley finals of all time.Now they stand on the brink of equalling Heanor Town’s record of four consecutive Derbyshire Senior Cup victories.
But while Northwood was hoping for a bumper crowd for what he hopes will be a gala celebration night for Rovers, the veteran boss was taking nothing for granted – despite his side holding a significant lead from Thursday’s first leg at the Asterdale Bowl.
“We’re two goals up but the match is far from over,” he said. “We were a little bit fortunate to go in at half time on level terms on Thursday night. Borrowash certainly don’t think it’s over and we’ll be treating the game as if it’s still 0-0.
“But we want to pick the trophy up and salute our fans with it – they’ve been magnificent this season. I watched Nottingham Forest’s homecoming from Wembley on the television this afternoon and, while there were more people on the streets of Nottingham than there were in Gresley and Swadlincote, Forest certainly got no more of a welcome than we did when we came back from Wembley.
“Now we’re bringing the curtain down on one hell of a season – a season we can look back on and say we’re proud of. We’re also proud of the people who have followed us and the lads that have worn the Gresley strip. I’m sure everyone involved with the club this year will have many, many memories that will never go away.
“We’re having to wait and see if we’ve got promotion but that will bring a great season together if we get it.
“All we’re concerned with now is winning that last game and giving everyone one more memory to cherish.”
Defender Scott Elliott, still suffering from a kidney ailment, is almost certain to miss out on the Borrowash game. Northwood chooses from a 14-man squad.