Thursday, 16th October 2008

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- Burton Mail

29th August 1986
If the strength of a side can be judged by its ability to win games without playing well, then Gresley Rovers should win the Banks’s League Premier Division title at a canter

Rovers – unbeaten in their final 22 games of last season – swept straight to the top of the league with victories at home to Chasetown and away to Tipton in the first three days of the campaign.

Yet despite maximum points – and six-goal haul – Gresley failed to capture the form, which made them irresistible opponents for much of last term.

The point did not escape the attention of Frank Northwood in his pursuit of perfection.

Northwood said: “Although we won both games I was less than happy with the performance of the defence. To be honest, I think we could have been in trouble if goalkeeper Karl Austin had not made some fine saves. We can’t afford to let things slip even at this early stage and one of the benefits of having a large squad is that there are other players eagerly waiting on the sidelines hoping to be given the chance to prove what they can do.”

One bonus for Northwood – though not an entirely surprising one – has been the brilliant form of striker Brian Beresford and his frontline colleagues.

Beresford scored 39 goals last season despite being hampered for much of it by a nagging ankle injury.

Now, after receiving specialist treatment from a Wolverhampton physiotherapist during the close season, Beresford is looking sharper than ever.

He was in deadly form against Chasetown last Saturday, snatching two superb goals and setting up a third for debut winger Paul Stringer.

Beresford also hit a splendid goal in the 3-1 win at Tipton on Monday night, delivering another firm warning that he will again terrorise defences.

His new striking partner Martin Devaney enjoyed a pleasing debut and the early indications are that he, too, will have a profitable season.

· Tomorrow Gresley turn their attention to the FA Cup in which they will be hoping to repeat last season’s success when they reached the fourth qualifying round for the first time in more than 20 years.

Visitors to the Moat Ground are Vauxhall-Opel League side Wolverton Town for a preliminary round tie.

Says Northwood: “We don’t know too much about them, but that really doesn’t bother me. My main concern is that we perform to our full potential.”

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