News

With their Banks’s League title challenge fading fast after a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Halesowen Harriers, Rovers took themselves to the brink of a place in the League Cup final by winning their semi-final first leg 2-1.

And it was achieved by a side which on paper looked as weak as any turned out by Rovers this season.

With recent acquisition Guy Hall testing his fitness on the ski slopes, Rovers suffered an apparently damaging series of withdrawals on Saturday morning, costing them the services of Jon Laws, Ian Early and Robert Philpott.

It meant surprise call ups for Keith Williams at full back and Nigel Duggins in midfield. And both of them responded magnificently to the challenge, leaving manager Frank Northwood with a headache.

Northwood said: “I’ve got a bit of s problem now. Do I stay loyal to the players who did so well at Oldbury, or do I bring back the missing players? It’s a nice position to be in.”

Duggins in particular, made an impressive contribution as Rovers recovered from the shock of an early Oldbury goal.

His tiggerish tackling and appetite for work shored up Gresley’s midfield department and he capped a fine performance by snatching the equaliser.

Brian Beresford plundered his 37th goal of the season after the interval to give Gresley vital advantage for the return leg.

Apart from the prestige of winning the League Cup, Rovers will not have lost sight of the financial implications.

They are already guaranteed £250 as semi-finalists, but could increase that figure to £500 as losing finalists or £750 as winners.

It cannot have escaped their attention either that big money is still at stake in the league.

Atherstone must be favourites for the £1,500 as champions, but if Rovers can maintain last week’s form they have a chance of the £750 pay day awaiting the runners-up or, at the very least, the £500 cheque which goes to the team finishing third place.