Note that this page is from our Gresley Rovers archive. It may not be related to the new Gresley Rovers (formerly Gresley FC until 2020).
Nothing to fear
Story courtesy of
Gresley Rovers assistant Malc Campion has been running the rule over one of non-league football’s most accomplished sides – with his club’s FA Cup future at stake.
Rovers are every bookie’s favourite for an early exit from British soccer’s most prestigious competition when they meet Bromsgrove Rovers tomorrow – but Campion insists Rovers will not be there to just make up the numbers.Bromsgrove finished as runners-up to last season’s promoted GM Vauxhall Conference champions Wycombe while Rovers were making the step up from the Beazer Midland Division.
But despite the gulf between the two clubs, Campion believes Rovers have a footballing chance of snatching a result that would rank somewhere alongside David’s 1-0 victory Goliath.
“We’ve had someone have a look at Bromsgrove for us. Manager Bobby Hope is a friend of mine from my days at Burton Albion and I’ve known quite a few of the players for a long time,” Campion says. “Sure it will be a tough game for us – they haven’t started well but they’re still a team that finished second in the Conference last season. But one thing’s for sure – it will be a footballing game. We go as underdogs but I’m confident we can do well – and I certainly don’t think they’ll be relishing playing us.”
A worrying crop of injuries from Saturday’s draw at Gloucester has left defender Stuart Evans and midfielder Graeme Rigg sidelined while striker Martin Devaney is still trying to shake off the effects of a hamstring strain.
That means Rovers may have to wait until late before naming a side but Campion promises: “We won’t be going down there to play defensively – we’ll be looking to play football and looking for a result. I think we’ve proved we’re a good side and anybody that underestimates us does so at their peril – even Bromsgrove Rovers.”
