Match Photos
Gresley Rovers vs Atherstone United
Sat
March 3rd 2001
- ROVERS - 1 ATHERSTONE - 4 (HT :1:2) (LEAGUE)
Recent
good form was thrown out of the window on Saturday
as Rovers suffered their first defeat for 7 games
at the hands of an Atherstone Team boasting several
youth team players. Rover too had some youngsters
involved, Youth team skipper Tom Witham coming in
and having an excellent game at centre half. Midfielder
Matt Moran also made the step up and did well after
coming on as a second half substitute. Tom's display
was particularly impressive as the youngster did himself
no harm with a composed display and he was one of
only a handful of players who did themselves any justice
on a disappointing afternoon. Rovers started well
enough creating lots f chances but wasteful finishing,
in particular from Kevin Wagstaff and Paul Grant was
later regretted. Indeed it was Wagstaff who gave Rovers
the lead in the 11th minute after he twice wasted
good chances to open the deadlock. Greg Smith found
him in space, free on the left and this time he finished
well, slotting into the corner of the Atherstone net.
Atherstone were presented an equaliser as Dave Evans
found himself on the wrong side of Atherstone's Kev
Charley and he blasted past a helpless Ian Wright.
Rovers went in 2-1 down at the break after Chris Bradshaw
went AWOL on the right-hand side and Charley was on
hand again to exploited the space to rifle home. HT
1-2. Michael Tonks put Atherstone 3-1 up on 64 mins
after Dave Kearns was caught out of position. Atherstone
completed the coring on the stroke of full time as
Stewart Dawe gave Ian Wright no chance after he was
again left exposed.
