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Moatmen at full strength
Story courtesy of Burton Mail
A testing festive encounter with Hinckley Athletic awaits Gresley Rovers on Boxing Day but the Moatmen are confident of taking three valuable points.
After months of injury worries Rovers boss Frank Northwood is finally able to field a full strength side and is now looking to tighten his team’s grip on the Banks’s League title.He told the Mail: “The boys who have filled in for us have kept us at the top of the table and they deserve a pat on the back. But saying that it’s always a bonus to have your class players back in the side.”
Talented striker Tracey Norton is a key component in the Rovers machine and is now finally on the verge of full fitness a year after suffering his first injury – ironically against Hinckley last Boxing Day.
“The lad is very important to us but they are all important,” said Northwood. “We have missed Kieron Smith as well and we are glad he’s back in the side.”
However even with the first choice side on duty Northwood knows that Athletic will be no pushovers. “They are a funny side,” he said. “They play quite a negative offside game every time which a lot of teams moan about.
“But they are entitled to play it and we are not worried. With Norton back and players like Acklam in the side we should have the quality forwards to do the job. We will be looking for three points.”
The Rovers boss also hopes a large contingent of travelling fans will help cheer his side on.
“There always seems to be more Gresley supporters than home fans,” he said. “Credit is due to the people who travel with us. I’m sure there will be 150 – 200 there on Boxing Day.”
