News - Rovers� medal moment - Gresley Rovers Online

Gresley Rovers Online - News Article

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Rovers� medal moment - Andy Parker � Burton Mail

16th September 1991
Legendary South Derbyshire-born goal keeper Jack Fairbrother was a surprise visitor to Raunds Town�s Kiln Road ground on Saturday to provide a poignant and nostalgic reminder to visitors Gresley Rovers of what they were playing for.

Now a sprightly 74, Fairbrother, a member of Newcastle United�s all-conquering side of the early 1950s, now lives a stones throw from the Northamptonshire�s club�s newly-built ground and turned up to greet Rovers clutching a 1951 winner�s medal.

Gresley, though, looked like stumbling at the very first hurdle of this season�s competition when they went behind to a debatable 59th minute penalty � only to level through a John Barry spot kick 14 minutes from time.

Coach Steve Dolby confessed later: �I thought we were on the way out when they scored. The way the game was going I thought we weren�t going to get back into it � but we showed character to come back.

�The conditions meant it was an awful game and we didn�t play that well � but we�ll be looking to finish the job tomorrow.�

Striker Paul Acklam was withdrawn after 73 minutes of Saturday�s game with a groin injury but hopes to be fit for tomorrow�s replay at the Moat Ground (7.45pm).

Rovers will be hoping to clinch a lucrative second qualifying round tie at home to Beazer Homes Premier Division leaders VS Rugby, who beat Lincolnshire side Stamford 2-0 at Butlin Road on Saturday.

The winners of that game must then travel to either Chasetown, Bilston Town or Banbury United in the third qualifying round.