Tuesday, 7th October 2008

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- Andy Parker – Burton Mail

5th May 1987
Gresley Rovers manager Frank Northwood last night fought off the disappointment of League Cup final defeat to declare: “We were robbed by the referee.”

Northwood was incensed by an 84th minute decision by Kidderminster referee John Pardoe which deprived Rovers of a possible winner and led directly to Atherstone United’s deciding goal.

Rovers’ Martin Devaney was floored in the area but Mr Pardoe turned down Gresley’s penalty appeals and refused to allow the striker to be treated despite stopping play to award Atherstone a free kick on the half way line.

With Devaney still on the floor, Atherstone’s free kick led to their winning goal and left Northwood fuming.

“It was a blatant penalty,” the veteran Moat Ground boss said after his team’s 3-2 defeat.

“But even if it wasn’t, he should have allowed us to treat Devaney after stopping the game. Despite that, the lads have done Gresley Rovers proud tonight. We lost several players right up to the kick off and had to play what we had available, but the team did everyone credit. I’m sure if everyone had been available, we’d have won.”

Up to half an hour before the kick off, Rovers had been waiting on striker Des Perry who was trying to obtain his release from Leicestershire Senior side St Andrews.

He failed – and joined six other players on the unavailable list.

Gresley’s worst setback came the day before the final when midfielder Hughie Atkinson broke a leg in a Sunday game.

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