|
Dr
Martens Western Division
Tuesday,
19th August 2003
Attendance
| 416
Gresley
Rovers |
2 |
3 |
Rugby
United |
|
Bourne
22
White
65 |
|
Hall pen 10
Melvin
37
Williams
79 |
Star
Man | Robbie Beard
|
Got the penalty and made an assist for Melvin's
goal and was a constant thorn in the Gresley rearguard
with energetic running |
Rugby
United showed superb character to secure a good away
victory against a strong Gresley Rovers side at The
Moat Ground this evening.
On
the infamous slope of the Moat Ground, United dominated
the opening exchanges with Robbie Beard and Justin Marsden
looking very dangerous as the Gresley defence faced
the sun in their eyes in the first half.
Rugby
United opened the scoring when Nathan Thompson chipped
a hopeful-looking ball for Robbie Beard to run onto,
and as he got to the ball first, defender Matt Smith
bundled the forward over in the area, and the referee
had no hesitation in awarding a penalty.
Danny
Hall did the honours once more and sent Matt Shiels
the wrong way for his first goal of the season.
The
referee could have easily awarded a further two penalties
as Beard went to ground in the area, but was not interested.
Marsden then cut in from the left before forcing a save
from Shiels and Beard had a shot blocked from 8 yards.
Gresley's
first real chance came when the ball bounced to the
edge of the area where Andy Bourne's shot took
a wicked deflection of Adam Hart and into the top corner
past the despairing Jason Pearcey.
Rugby
equalised minutes later as Beard again caused problems
when he turned and ran, and released a shot from the
edge of the area which Shiels tipped onto the post for
the oncoming Neil Melvin, who was starting his
first game of the season, to strike the ball into an
empty net.
The
second half was Gresley's as they put the pressure on
down the hill, and created a few chances, although their
goal came from a 30-yard thunderbolt from Gary White.
However,
Rugby kept looking dangerous on the counter-attack despite
the pressure, and Justin Marsden had a chance to score
before a last ditch challenge from Andy Cheetham.
United scored the winning goal about 10 minutes from
time when substitute Jamie Williams cut inside
from the left and trickled the ball into the far corner.
Jason
Pearcey made a fantastic save from Bourne to parry it
away in the closing seconds, to keep the three points
coming back to Butlin Road.
Danny
Hall dislocated his shoulder during the game, and more
news on his progress will be posted.
Rugby
United | Pearcey, Moran, Thompson (Williams), Hart,
Herbert, Redgate, Hall (Squire), Dutton, Beard, Marsden,
Melvin (Shanahan) Subs | Thomas (gk), Pearson
Goals
| Hall, Melvin, Williams
Bookings
| None |
