Thursday, 28th August 2008

News Archive

- Andy Parker – Burton Mail

2nd May 1986
Gresley Rovers enter a vital final week of the season knowing that only maximum points from their remaining two games will keep them in with a chance of an epoch-making runners-up spot in the Banks’s West Midlands League.

The Moatmen’s unaccountable blunder at Wolverhampton in midweek – when they allowed one of the league’s least auspicious outfits to battle their way to a point – loosened Rovers’ grip on what would be their first honour since joining the league ten seasons ago.

Harrison’s, who appeared to be Gresley’s main rivals for second place in the table behind mighty Halesowen, have dramatically slipped from the race with two successive defeats, the second a crushing 4-1 home whipping by Atherstone United who can still pip Rovers if they win all their remaining games.

But while Harrison’s who emerged from the league’s First Division at the start of the season as sensational pacemakers for most of the term, can still foil the Moatmen’s march.

Gresley entertain Tipton Town; shock 1-0 winners over Halesowen in midweek, on Tuesday.

Should Rovers win – and it will need an emergence from a sudden and depressing rut of poor form for that to happen – then the trip to Great Wyrley for the final game of the season at Harrison’s ground on Thursday will become critical.

Much will depend on how quickly ace striker Brian Beresford recovers from the ankle injury that forced his withdrawal from the 2-0 win at Brereton Social ten days ago.

Beresford was in so much pain afterwards that he was unable to drive his car and was taken to hospital for checks.

The following Saturday newcomer Nigel Barrows had to shoulder the attacking load and Moat fans had to wait until the dying minutes of the game against Oldswinford before the lanky front man hit a brace of match winning goals.

At Wolverhampton on Tuesday, however, Barrows, partnered by Johnny Branch in attack, failed to deliver although Rovers could point to an atrocious playing surface and some hard luck in front of goal for excuses.

Branch failed to convert two tremendous opportunities - one in each half – while the helpless Barrows never got a look-in and was replaced in the second half by Reg Priest.

Whatever attacking formula manager Frank Northwood opts for in the remaining two games, Rovers should really end up with their just reward.

Northwood’s first full season in charge has seen the Moat scene transformed and the emergence of some of the best football for years.

So the message this weekend from every fan is please, don’t blow it now, Gresley.

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