Match Report  |  Romulus vs Gresley FC

Romulus must be sick of playing Gresley because after playing the Moatmen for 270 minutes they have still failed to get the better of their opponents.

After drawing a blank in their FA Trophy clash at Coles Lanes last Friday, Romulus were beaten in the replay in midweek and now today they get beaten at home this time in the league!

Gresley were well worth their win today with caretaker manager Dave Langston giving debuts to goalkeeper Rob Peet and Gary Ricketts and both settled in well with Peet making vital saves and at the other end Ricketts proving to be a headache for the home defence with his strength and ability topping of a good display by scoring his first goal for new club.

Langston was forced into another slight adjustment with Chris Richards taking the left back slot with in place of the unavailable Lucas Harrison.

Romulus started well and went close to taking an early lead when Peet's punch fell only as far as Barry Fitzharris who slammed his low shot back towards Gresley's goal but Peet did well to make a diving save to push the ball away.

Gresley had their first chance on 9 minutes when Jordan Ball hit a cross into the box which just eludes the onrushing Ricketts.

Romulus went close again when a long high punt beat the Gresley back line and Luke Keen was the first to the ball ahead of John Guy and tried his luck with a lob as Peet was advancing but his effort sailed wide.

Ricketts was causing problems in the home box and he managed to beat Chris Gemmell to flick the ball on past the keeper but Lavell White could not take advantage.

Gresley were now taking the game to their hosts with Ricketts denied by a superb block and from the resultant corner Jake Carlisle was unlucky to see his header fly just over the bar.

Matt Roome was needed at the other end as Romulus threatened. Some good interplay between Cameron Lee and Roland Agbor ended with the latter about to let fire but a well timed block from Roome denied him.

With 35 minutes on the clock Gresley took the lead with a goal worth the entry fee alone. A long clearance out of defence by Jack Langston dropped between two home defenders and Ball, 35 yards put, hit his shot first time over the head of the stranded Gemmell who was on the edge of his box and into the net.

Gresley were playing some good football and a nice move saw Ricketts feed the ball through to Langston who in turn picks out Ball whose shot needed to be cleared for a corner.

Peet was called into some rare action so far in the second half when substitute Connor Leek tested the Gesley keeper but Peet was able to make a comfortable save.

Romulus will curse the woodwork as once more it denied them. A poorly conceded free kick by John Guy on the edge of the area was curled in by Fitzharris but his beautifully hit shot came back off the bar.

There was a moment of petulance from the Romulus manager who ran down the touchline, picked up the ball and threw it into the face of Roome and the referee rightly sent him to the stand for the rest of the game.

Romulus were throwing everything except the kitchen sink, at Gresley but the defence stood firm. Peet showed what a good keeper he is making two exceptional saves to deny Leek and Luke Bottomer.

Mark Branch, who had scored a superb goal at the Moat Ground, had a chance to get his side level but he blazed his shot over the bar when well placed at the far post.

With 9 minutes left on the clock Gresley scored a vital second goal which proved to be the winner. Ball evaded the attention of Lee and struck a stinging shot that Gemmell could only parry and Rickett's was on hand to slip the ball into the unguarded net.

Despite all the huffing and puffing from the home side and the lion's share of the possession they could not break down a solid and determined Gresley defence and the visitors could return to South Derbyshire thoroughly satisfied with their afternoon's workout.