Monday, 8th September 2008

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- Burton Mail

20th January 1989
Gresley Rovers manager Frank Northwood is never a man to utter lavish praise for the opposition – until the match is won, that is.

On Saturday he paid fulsome tribute to Malvern Town’s battling qualities after his side had cruised to a slightly fortuitous 3-0 home win.

But he was less than kind about tomorrow’s opponents Blakenall.

“Who are Blakenall anyway?” snapped the Moat chief on being requested to comment on whether the fixture had any extra significance, bearing in mind the two sides’ relative league positions – Gresley top and Blakenall fourth.

“So they’ve had a bit of a run, but who have they played? The other week they only beat Tividale 1-0. That’s not much of a result.”

What Northwood failed to mention was impressive results gained by the Black Country side against more auspicious opponents, but the words to describe their performance against the biggest fish of all – Gresley Rovers – remain to be written on Saturday evening.

Midfielder Andy Moore, who took his goal tally to a highly impressive 12 for the season with a brace against Malvern, took a slightly more cautious approach than his gaffer’s this week.

Said Moore: “Blakenall will have the advantage over us because they’ll be at home – but we can do them. It’s going to be hard and they’re going to desperately want to beat us but if we can field a strong side we’ll win.

“If we can get some points there and then against Rushall the following Saturday we’ll be sitting pretty because all the other top sides have still got to play each other but we’ve got most of our hard games out of the way.”

Much could depend on how quickly recent absentees are restored to Rovers ranks. Striker Tracey Norton seems set to resume training far earlier than had been predicted, while Richard Denby, Rovers midfield kingpin, returned as substitute against Malvern and could be set for a full game against Blakenall.

Gresley certainly don’t look the same side without those two in their ranks and Denby’s return in particular could be just what they need as they embark on what is potentially their most difficult – and certainly their most crucial – fortnight of the season so far.

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Tuesday 9th September, 7.45pm

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