Saturday, 11th October 2008

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- Burton Mail

31st January 1989
Holders Gresley Rovers start their defence of the Derbyshire Senior Cup as underdogs tonight (7.30pm).

After an exemption to the last eight, Rovers face a hazardous trip to Causeway Lane to meet HFS Loans Leaguers Matlock Town, the annual favourites for the cup.

The trip is made tougher still for Gresley because principal strikers Tracey Norton and Paul Acklam are still on their casualty list.

Said Northwood: “It’s difficult to make up for players of that calibre. Despite what people think, I haven’t got a magic wand.”

Norton – sidelined for six weeks by a groin injury – faces a further six weeks of intensive treatment before he can contemplate an eagerly-awaited return to Rovers’ side.

He recently sought a second opinion on the injury from a specialist and was told he had been badly advised.

“The last six weeks have been a complete waste of time. I haven’t been making any progress at all but now that I’ve seen a specialist I hope that, by taking time off work for regular physio sessions, I can start making a recovery.

“I’m absolutely desperate to get back – I just can’t stand watching when I should be out there playing.”

Northwood drafts into his squad teenage full back Richard Harris, recently signed from Arnold.

“He’s only 19 and come highly recommended by our youth team manager Brain Bignall. He’s had two years in Arnold’s first team and that’s got to count for something.”

Rovers midfielder Ian Wells is planning to lodge an appeal against a 56-day ban which is due to start next month.

Northwood said: “The lad had never been booked let alone sent off until this incident. To say he thinks the punishment is harsh is putting it mildly.”

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