Match Report  |  Romulus vs Gresley FC

This was a much improved performance against a Romulus side who have come off a run of three wins scoring nine goals and conceding none including a fine 2-0 home win over Leek Town a couple of weeks ago.

Caretaker manager Dave Langston knew this game would be a tough one but Gresley gave as good as they got especially in the first half when for much of the game the pressed their hosts back into their own half.

Langston had to fill his bench with young reserve team players as some senior players were unavailable. Jamie Barrett was also on the bench due to a tight hamstring with Jake Carlisle getting just his second start of the season.

The visitors started well on the artificial surface and went agonisingly close to taking the lead on 9 minutes when a Jordan Ball cross from the right found Martin Smyth in the centre of the area but his shot was cleared off the line.

The only effort of note from Romulus in the first half came from Luke Keen but his low drive was comfortably held by Gresley keeper Liam Roberts.

Gresley continued to push forward in the second half with Jack Langston hitting a free kick which Romulus keeper Chris Gemmell fumbled but there was no Gresley player on the spot to take advantage.

Romulus began to up a gear and for the first fifteen minutes or so of the half they dominated proceeding going close on four occasions.

The first came when a cross from the left was headed wide by Keen at the near post which should have ended in the back of the net.

Two minutes later a cross from the right picked out Luke Bottomer who saw his shot at the far post hit the upright. That was immediately followed by Barry Fitzharris clattering the woodwork and then unbelievably the top of Gresley's bar was skimmed by Keen whose lob had Roberts scrambling backwards.

Gresley settled after that frantic quarter of an hour or so and had a good chances to wrap the game up themselves. Alex Steadman fastened on to a poor back pass but as he was about to try his hand a fine blocking tackle by Cameron Lee stubbed out the chance.

Minutes later another good move saw Ball fly down the right but was denied by another good tackle as he threatened to get into a dangerous position. From the resultant corner by Langston John Guy headed wide if the near post.

Steadman turned provider when he made a good run down the flank and instead of trying himself he chose to slip the ball sideways to teammate Ball who took a touch to control the ball before hitting a shot from central of the area which Gemmell did well to block.

With Gresley ending the game on top Langston hit a speculative shot over the bar and Steadman had a glorious chance in time added on when substitute Barrett skewed his shot and the ball fell to the front man who could only steer his shot fractionally past the far post.

The two sides will have to try again on Tuesday to see who will make the trip to face Matlock Town on the 31st October.