News

Former Glasgow Celtic player Frank Nuttall was looking on as Gresley were destined for a second replay after drawing 1-1 after extra time at the Moat Ground.

Nuttall, a left-sided defender/midfielder, has joined the Moatmen from Abacus Welsh League side Bridgend Town while he heads for Loughborough University to do a master’s degree.

The 23-year-old had trials with Hamilton and Partick Thistle before signing with Celtic during manager David Hay’s reign. He was at Parkhead for two years, seeing action in the youth and reserve teams.

College took Nuttall to Cardiff for the last four years, where he turned out for his university side before joining Bridgend.

Rovers’ commercial chief Frank McArdle heard through a coaching contact that Nuttall was looking to move to a Midlands club and McArdle’s persuasive powers brought the potential big catch to Northwood’s door.

Nuttall might not have been swayed by what he saw on-field last night but got quite a welcome from last season’s Wembley heroes.

“I was taken care of before the game, I was quite taken by the friendly atmosphere here and it looks as if it’s the type of club that’s trying to achieve higher things and trying to build on the success of the FA Vase,” he said.

Northwood said of his new boy: “ We are certainly pleased to get him for Gresley. As he’s played for Celtic and is still only 23 we are a little bit fortunate to get him. “He’s a left footed player which is what we were looking for.”

On the Chasetown clash Northwood said: “I thought we were a trifle lucky tonight. But I thought we were the best team on the park at Chasetown and we have a right to try it again. Obviously it was a bad goal to give away to them but I feel they deserved it and I’m quite happy that the replay will be at Gresley.”

A date is yet to be fixed for the second replay.