A SUPERB goal from Mark Rosegreen, his second in as many games, put Atherstone on course for their first Beazer Premier...
A SUPERB goal from
A SUPERB goal from Mark Rosegreen, his second in as many games, put Atherstone on course for their first Beazer Premier success of the season as Mick Brookes' men turned on a classy second half display that sunk Gravesend without trace.
'Rosey' struck early in the second period with a clinical finish after Craig Knight had set up the opportunity with a slick piece of build up play that carved out a huge hole in the visitors' back division.
From then on the 'Fleet' hit turbulent waters as the Adders rode a crest of wave to run out easy winners with Danny Donovan and Shaun Marchant adding further goals in a four-minute spell late on.
After three draws and a defeat in their four previous encounters this term, the tide finally turned in United's favour much to the satisfaction of manager Brookes. He said: "We were a lot more decisive in front of goal, especially after the interval.
Best games
"Rosey took his chance expertly and once we were in front, the result was never in doubt. It was a solid all-round performance although I was pleased with the contribution that Craig Knight made. He had one of his best games for the club and I am sure it will do his confidence the world of good while Paul Upton was absolutely superb."
Gravesend were the first to show and could easily have gone ahead on seven minutes when Lee Turner, who along with fellows defenders said was the highest scorer in the whole of the Beazer League, found a huge void in the home defence making his home debut for Atherstone but unbelievably misused his shot wide of a bagging net.
The set of the hosts and on 17 minutes Rosegreen wasted a gilt-edged offering as Keith Russell, who along with fellow wideman Everitt and bringing a genuine threat to the Fleet rearguard, clipped in a low shot from the former Nuneaton man centre ally off target to round 'keeper Lee Turner.
There was no shortage of goalmouth action and when Gravesend's Richard Powell clipped in a low skidding centre, Leigh Everitt reliably blocked clean and it failed to drift inches over the bar and on to the roof of the net.
As the half wore on the more Adders pressed, Russell having a goal disallowed for a foul on 'keeper Lee Turner, playing his 100th game for the visitors, and the same
player seeing his headers hacked clear off the line by Powell.
Rosegreen's late challenge on Turner earned him a caution but the striker was celebrating on 56 minutes as he fired United in front. Nick Whitehurst, back to form after an indifferent start to the campaign, fed Knight whose penetrating run down centre-field ended with an astute ball to ROSEGREEN and his fierce rising drive from 10 yards bulged the back of Turner's net.
The Fleet threatened just once after going behind when Portway's goalbound drive glanced off Malc Randle and flew for a fruitless corner otherwise it was Adders in the driving seat and it came as no surprise when they extended their advantage on 83 minutes.
Gaping net
Everitt broke up an attack and his pass up the line was delightfully dummied by Rosegreen, completely deceiving Powell, and though the number ten's through ball intended for substitute Donovan, was cut out by Mark Harrop, he made his back pass to Turner, unfortunately for him his parry fell into the path of MERCHANT and he made no mistake on the shot.
Turner again show his agility in injury time when Merchant again broke into the box to drill an angled drive towards the far corner of the net only for the former Leyton Orient custodian to fist away in speculative fashion.
At the final whistle, Adders took full toll with Whitehurst releasing Russell, whose low cross was met first by Donovan, whose header cleared the crossbar and then ROSEGREEN neatly tapped in from close range into the path of MERCHANT.
Brookes added immediately after the final whistle: "It was for the final whistle. It was a little nerve-racking as we were only just in the lead. We had several good chances. I just wanted to see things up but in the end 3-0 wins is just the same as winning 10-0, so I can sleep easily tonight."
ADDERS: Williams, Everitt, Jackson, Randle, [unclear], Merchant, Whitehurst, Knight, Russell, [unclear] (Donovan 69mins), Rosegreen. Subs: [unclear] and Spencer. GRAVESEND: Turner, Harrop, Lamb, Gubbins, [unclear], Brenton, Bourne (Boyce 60mins), Cot[unclear], Munday, Portway, Jackson J (Graves [unclear]mins). Subs: Mawson. ATT 332.