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Rovers need to win two leagues!
Story courtesy of
Gresley Rovers need to win two leagues to fulfil this season’s Banks’s Premier title ambitions.
And tomorrow’s visit of Rushall Olympic to the Moat Ground is vital to the outcome of both.That’s the view of Gresley’s most experienced player, much-travelled striker Graham Jones.
He explained after Saturday’s bruising draw at Blakenall: “We’ve got a little league of our own at the top of the table involving four or five teams, and the destination of the championship is all down to how we go on against each other. As long as you don’t lose to these sides you’re in with a shout. But you’ve got to beat some of them. Rushall have games in hand on us so it’s pretty important to beat them on Saturday – although any footballer will tell you that it’s better to have points in the bag like we have.
“They’ve got to win those games in hand to catch up and if they have to wait till the end of the season to play them they could have problems. It can start to get difficult to get teams together for midweek games.”
Jones believes that Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Blakenall “could have a bearing on the title” but points out: “Blakenall have still got to come to us – and Rushall have got to go to Blakenall.”
Also entering the equation are Lye Town – thumped 3-0 at home by Gresley and still to come to the Moat Ground – and Paget, one of only two sides to beat Gresley this season.
Their Wembley dream ended with a 1-0 Vase defeat at Wisbech on Saturday. And as thoughts return to league glories, the Sutton Coldfield team will be mindful that Gresley must make that A38 trip for a midweek meeting on February 28.
Jones, though, is in no doubt that Gresley have the credentials to pass their upcoming tests, although hw points out with caution: “We have a few injury problems at the moment. With Tracey Norton out that means I’ve been having to do a lot more spadework up front although I’m happy to do that as long as we’re winning. I like to think I always make a contribution.”
Jones headed the Banks’s League goal chart last term with 32 for Oldbury. This term he has registered only six for Gresley and admits: “That’s not a particularly good scoring rate for a striker – I normally aim to get on the scoresheet every other game. But I haven’t’ finished the season yet!”
