Thursday, 16th October 2008

News Archive

- Andy Parker – Burton Mail

31st December 1992
Gresley Rovers embark on a three-match programme at Leicester United on Saturday (3pm) that “could set up our season” according to manager Steve Dolby.

League victories over Rushden & Diamonds and Tamworth and a league cup triumph against Sutton Coldfield Town have restored Moat fans’ belief that their side can still have a say in the Beazer Homes Midland title race – a claim that Dolby has stuck to from the opening weeks of the campaign.

Now Dolby’s team embark on a quest for maximum points from the Leicester trip and home games against Bilston on Tuesday and struggling Forest Green Rovers a week tomorrow to strengthen his side’s hold on the top-of-the-table spot they regained after Nuneaton Borough’s Bank Holiday defeat at Bedworth United.

Said Dolby: “To be going into the New Year on top of the league has got to be a good thing – and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t stay there. We keep playing these sides who are supposed to be better than us and we keep beating them. We were the better side against Tamworth and I thought the 3-2 result flattered them. We’ve beaten Rushden twice and we’ve outplayed Sutton Coldfield Town. There’s only Nuneaton we haven’t played yet and so far I haven’t seen a team I don’t feel we can beat.”

The biggest threat to Rovers’ progress at present is a steadily lengthening injury list, with Richard Wardle, Tony Marsden and Martin Devaney all carrying knocks against Tamworth and Mike Taplin forced into action as substitute despite not having recovered from a knee injury.

But prospects are improving for Dolby with Taplin and fellow striker Paul Acklam both close to starting a comeback, top scorer Kieron Smith confident of making a return “in a week or two” after knee ligament trouble and defender Stuart Evans expected to be back on duty on Saturday after a similar problem.

Meanwhile, Dolby believes his troops will continue to battle through despite their wounds.

“People like Tony Marsden are carrying knocks that just don’t allow them to play flat out for 90 minutes and there are one or two who could do with a good rest.

“But they all desperately want to play and they’re prepared to battle through, which shows just how good the spirit in the club is at the moment.”

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