Halloween horror for Rovers in Vase loss

A FIRST-HALF capitulation condemned Gresley Rovers to an FA Vase first round exit as they fell to a 5-0 defeat away against Congleton Town, writes Alfie Burley.

Three goals in the opening 20 minutes set the tone for Gresley as Lee Williamson, Aaron Bott and Jonathan Beaumont launched North West Counties League Premier Division side Congleton to victory.

A fourth before the break from Bott put the result beyond Rovers’ reach and, despite an improved second-half display, the Bears stretched their lead through William Buckley in the 84th minute.

Gresley were behind after only two minutes and conceded a second six minutes later.

Williamson pounced for the first before Aaron Jones won the ball deep in Gresley territory and set up Bott to score into an unguarded net.

Gresley continued to make mistakes and in the 19th minute they were punished once more, this time for a miscommunication at the back.

Mason Frizelle and keeper Joe Fryatt both thought the other was going to deal with a ball in the Gresley penalty area, allowing Beaumont to decide for them with a simple finish.

Gresley tried to regroup but the Bears struck again just after the half-hour mark.

After receiving the ball on the left of the Gresley penalty area, Bott arrowed a shot into the bottom right corner.

The visitors did, however, have an opportunity to pull one back before half-time when David Kolodynski was brilliantly denied by Elliott Fenton on the goalline, the striker blocking the shot for a corner when a goal looked certain.

Gresley’s Louis Briscoe had a shot cleared off the line by Joshua Ryder in the 63rd minute, while Junior Smikle also went close with a header that whistled over the bar.

But there was no consolation for Gresley and instead Congleton had the last word, Buckley scoring from 25 yards.

■Report courtesy of gresleyrovers.com.