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Rampant Rovers grab the limelight
Story courtesy of
Gresley Rovers take centre stage on the local soccer scene tomorrow aiming to attract a bumper Moat Ground crowd for the visit of Evesham United.
With Burton Albion left without a fixture by the demise of Dartford and Derby County not due to play at West Ham until Sunday because of TV schedules, manager Steve Dolby believes his unbeaten side could prove the main attraction for Burton and South Derbyshire fans.He said last night: “Four of our six games so far have been away and we’ve produced some very good performances. We’re expecting a lot of interest and a big crowd and we’re hoping we can maintain the form we’ve been showing and not disappoint our supporters.”
Rovers attracted an above-average 555 crowd for the opening day of the season against Dudley but Dolby believes that was just a starting point.
“We’ve attracted excellent support away from home so far and that’s surprised a lot of clubs. We’ve taken a supporters’ coach to every match so far and very often we’ve heavily outnumbered home fans.”
The bigger the gate, the heavier the weight of expectation as Rovers aim to extend their 100 per cent start but Dolby dismisses the “pressure factor”.
“We lost the first home game of last season to Lye Town and we haven’t lost a home game since. That’s a record we’d like to continue. But I expect a very hard game. Like us, Evesham are new to the Beazer Homes League and they’ll want to prove they’re the best of the promoted sides, as we will.”
The Worcestershire side have had mixed fortunes thus far, winning at Tamworth but losing to Sutton Town and Bridgnorth.
Said Dolby: “They were 2-0 up against Newport with 10 minutes to go before drawing 2-2 but that shows what they’re capable of. But we’ve got nothing to fear at home. I was very pleased with the way we played against Dudley. It’s a ground and a pitch that suits the home side. You have to be used to the pitch and the crowd are almost worth a goal for us.”
Midfielder Graeme Rigg faces an eight-week lay off – just as he was about to break into the first team squad.
Said Dolby: “ I told Graeme before Tuesday’s reserve game at Halesowen he would be in the squad on Saturday then he went and broke his collar bone. It’s a real sickner for him.”
Teenager Chris Parkins is on his way back after a four-week injury lay off. The youngster played for 50 minutes at Halesowen and Dolby said: “Chris had a badly bruised foot but there was no reaction to the injury and he looked dangerous and sharp.
“West Bromwich have not pursued the interest in him so that seems to have come to something of a standstill.”
Martin Devaney’s groin injury has put his move from Leek Town on hold.
