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Frustrating for Frank
Story courtesy of
Gresley Rovers have reached a crossroads in a season of fluctuating fortunes. It has been a richly promising campaign, yet there is an uneasy feeling among Rovers regulars that it will again yield nothing in the way of silverware.
Recent lapses at the Moat Ground could cost them dearly in the chase for the Banks’s League title and, coincidentally, have undermined confidence as Gresley approach their two-leg Derbyshire Senior Cup final clash with Alfreton Town.The next fortnight will undoubtedly decide Gresley’s fate – and, possibly, that of manager Frank Northwood.
Last season when Rovers finished fourth in the league and beaten finalists in the League Cup, Northwood admitted failure and boldly promised better to assembled guests at the club’s annual dinner in the close season.
So far, he is in profit having guided Rovers to their best-ever run in the FA Vase before losing, for the second successive year, to a team which eventually reached Wembley.
The acid test, however, is still to come because the overwhelming desire at the Moat Ground is to win the league title. Two weeks ago Gresley were in a position with enough games in hand to go top of the table.
Now, though, they are looking vulnerable after dropping points at home to Wednesfield Social and Harrisons.
Rovers’ worries are compounded by the fact that they face a tough run in, starting with tomorrow’s tough assignment at Halesowen Harriers.
Harriers have slipped out of the title reckoning since becoming the only team to beat Gresley in the league so far this season, but they are still capable of inflicting a fatal blow.
A win tomorrow would certainly raise the spirits of Northwood’s men, but they would probably still need to beat Tamworth home and away to fulfil their ambitions.
Tamworth, of course, still fancy themselves for the championship and have a psychological advantage after dumping Gresley out of both the FA Cup and the League Cup.
It’s a tall order for the Moatmen bearing in mind that they also have to squeeze in Senior Cup clashes with Alfreton at North Street on Tuesday and at the Moat Ground on April 23rd.
