Evo-Stik NPL Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 14th February 2015, 3.00pm
Moat Ground Stalemate
Gresley struggled to find the form which saw them overcome high-flying Premier Ilkeston in midweek. It seemed a case of 'after the Lord Mayors show'.
The Moatmen faced another side which had made numerous changes to the side that Gresley comfortably beat 4-1 and 3-1 earlier in the season in League and FA Trophy and in the early exchanges it looked like Gresley would have another win. However, after taking a 16th minute lead Gresley were pulled back through a controversial 'offside' goal with the first of just two attempts on goal by their opponents.
Gresley manager Wayne Thornhill kept faith with the side which had beaten Ilkeston and they started well taking the lead on 16 minutes. A free kick from Jack Langston on the right was headed back into the box by Mitch Hanson at the far post and Alex Steadman was there to power his header past keeper Stuart Parsons. Hanson then went close himself with a header that flew wide from Langston's corner kick.
Romulus went close with a header from Liam Frances that went wide but three minutes later they were level in somewhat controversial circumstances. Edwin Akenkorah managed to toe poke the ball although a yard offside inside the area and the ball seemed to move in slow motion as it rolled agonisingly towards the base of the far post and into the net. Referee Andrew Newbold waved away the protests much to the disgust of players and supporters alike. Gresley continued to press and went close again with an on-target shot which was deflected for a corner.
The Moatmen were first to go close early in the second half when the ball came out for Martin Smyth who struck a shot which whistled past the upright with keeper Parsons riveted to the spot.
Ashley Jackson for the visitors was denied by the outside of the near post and then at the other end he cynically scythed down Kieran O'Connell who once more had the better of him down the right.
Romulus were good in the build up but their finishing left a lot to be desired with Jackson firing wide of the far post.
It was Gresley who were carving out the better chances and one fell to substitute Rob Mulonga who had collected fellow substitute Eric Graves' ball before racing forward and hitting a shot which looked to be on target before taking a deflection and away for a corner.
Gresley went so close to taking the lead with just four minutes of normal time remaining. Smyth fed the ball through to Graves who hit a tremendous shot from the edge of the area but Parsons made an equally tremendous save to fingertip the ball over the bar.
The home side continued to press Romulus back looking for the winner. O'Connell fired in a shot straight into the midriff of Parsons, Smyth then headed Langston's free kick over the bar and Mulonga was denied by the outstretched leg of Parsons.
