Gresley Rovers vs Rothwell Town
Gresley Rovers Res. 7 - 1 Rothwell Town Res.
Scorers: Hanslow 7, 17, 56, 61; Daks Kannan 44, Lonsdale 47 (pen), Abs Kannan 65
Gresley Rovers Reserves produced an emphatic 7-1 demolition of Rothwell Town to turnaround a 6-0 loss from earlier in the season.
Rovers were missing usual centre back partnership of Chris Mawbey (first team) and Lewis Gadsby (injured), but welcomed Sam O'Leary and Martin Rowntree into the back three.
Tom Betteridge also returned after five months out from a broken leg and dislocated ankle, to the subs bench.
Rovers didn't have to wait long for a goal though; a ball over the top from captain Sean Doy was met by Richard Hanslow whose cross shot found its way into the net via the goalkeeper.
It was no more than Gresley deserved and Hanslow should have added a second but dragged his shot wide.
Gresley added to their lead in the seventeenth minute. Craig Tucker gained ground down the right wing, and laid the ball back for Lonsdale to whip in a wicked first time cross.
The cross was met by Hanslow whose technique for the chest and volley could have graced any ground in the country to beat the goalkeeper all ends up.
Taking such a lead so early in the game, Gresley were probably guilty of taking their foot off the gas, and this allowed Rothwell to get back into the game.
Only an excellent save from Tommy Allen and superb goal line clearance from Josh Gregory kept Rovers Clean sheet. Just before half time Gresley dealt a killer blow. A long ball from Allen caught out the Rothwell defence and left Rovers three on one. Hanslow was left eight yards out with just the goalkeeper to beat; he inextricably laid the ball to Daks Kannan who despite looking suspiciously offside fired into an open goal.
Rovers went into the half time break three goals up, and had created enough clear chances to be well out of sight.
Rovers returned for the second half knowing that the next goal would be key.
The game though was put beyond any doubt in the forty seventh minute. Lonsdale ran at pace at the Rothwell defence and was brought down in the penalty area. Lonsdale picked himself up and fired the penalty past the keeper.
Rovers continued to be the dominant side, and it is beyond belief that the score line wasn't more. Some players were guilty of selfishness and poor decision making, as well as some poor finishing. Abs Kannan, Tucker and Hanslow all going close.
Hanslow completed his hatrick with a well worked corner in the fifty sixth minute. A deep cross from Kannan was met by O'Leary who headed back across goal to an unmarked Hanslow who accurately headed home. Rovers were clearly in the ascendancy, typified by Rowntree winning every header.
Continuing to press, a searching pass from James Manley found Abs Kannan whose ball across goal found Hanslow who scrambled his fourth of the game.
Having levelled the 'aggregate' score Gresley set about adding to the humiliation. Another good ball from Doy found a striding Abs Kannan who coolly lobbed the ball over the Rothwell keeper.
Hanslow was replaced by Tom Fletcher, and Ingley replaced Daks Kannan, as Reserves manager Dave Flearly looked to utilise his squad.
Rovers were again creating numerous chances and it is not an over estimation that thirteen or fourteen would have been apt. Rothwell did get a late consolation following a foul by Rowntree, the resulting penalty finding its way past Allen despite a strong hand.
Tom Betteridge returned to action on eighty minutes and may have marked it with a goal had Kannan passed rather than going for goal.
Despite creating yet more late chances Gresley were unable to add to their tally.
Hopefully this result will be the catalyst for a move up the table for Gresley Rovers reserves. Excellent throughout there were too many performances of note to mention them all here, though striker Hanslow continued his scoring form with four goals.
On this form there will be few sides that will live with the young rovers on this form. Rovers host Alvechurch Res. on Wednesday night (7.45pm KO) and with no midweek first team or European cup games will be looking for a big crowd at the Moat Ground to cheer the lads on.
Team: 1. Tommy Allen, 2. Josh Gregory, 3. Sam O'Leary, 4. James Manley, 5. Martyn Rowntree, 6. Sean Doy ©,7. Craig Tucker, 8. Abs Kannan, 9. Richard Hanslow, 10. Richard Lonsdale, 11. Daks Kannan
Subs: 12. Tom Fletcher (for Hanslow 67), 13. Sam Ingley (for D. Kannan 75), 14. Tom Betteridge (for Lonsdale 80)
