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Rovers put on Weston front
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Gresley Rovers boss Steve Dolby has urged his side to get back into the winning habit – starting with tomorrow’s game at Weston-super-Mare.
Dolby said today: “We’ve lost four of our last six games in the league so it’s very important match for us. Weston seem to be something of a hit-and-miss side, with a good result one week and a bad one the next. But we’ll be going down there to give them another bad one – we’re going for a win; a draw would be a disappointment for us.”Rovers will be starting with much the same side as that which lost at home to Grantham on Saturday – but that might not have been the case if their midweek League Cup game at Sutton Coldfield had not been postponed for what seemed like the umpteenth time.
Said Dolby: “If we had played at Sutton, I would have made changes in the side. But I’m not so keen on reshuffling for a league match. We don’t have that many options anyway, so there will be no wholesale changes.”
There was a boost for Rovers this week when teenage defender Davis Mead was named in the England U19’s Colleges side to play Wales at Telford on December 16th.
The 18-year-old, who made his first team debut for Rovers against Pelsall Villa at the back end of last season and has played 18 games, scoring six times, for the reserves this term, played in North v South trial game and was one of only two players to be chosen for a full cap from the Northern X1.
Dolby rates the Breadsall-based student as one of several reserve team youngsters who can realistically harbour long-term first team ambitions.
“They’re all young lads, so they’re not going to break through yet. But there are several who could. David Mead is one; Chris Parkins is another who’s played in the first team and done well. Lee Rippin is getting his chance at the moment in goal, and I’m getting good reports on the likes of Matt Smith, who’s a local lad, and Ian Scott, who’s looking sharp up front after joining us from Burton Albion.
“I’m very pleased for David, though. His selection is an honour for him and the club.”
Alan Titterton, who runs Rovers’ second string with partner Dick West, said: “Davids selection is a nice boost for the reserve team and the club as a whole. All the lads are very keen and there are several who could make the grade.”
Titterton recently added 17-year-old midfielder Chris Armeni to his squad. The youngster was previously on a YTS scheme with Notts County.
