Evo-Stik NPL League Division One South
The Moat Ground, Church Gresley
Saturday, 18th March 2017, 3.00pm
Back-To-Back Wins For Gresley
Gresley made it back-to-back wins with another gutsy performance against Romulus at the Moat Ground easing their predicament towards the bottom of the table.
Goals from Matt Melbourne and Leandro Browne saw Gresley over the winning line with Jordan Francis replying for the visitors.
Gresley manager Damion Beckford-Quailey had hoped for four points from the matches so was very pleased with his side's performance.
He made changes to the starting eleven. With keepers Rob Peet and Max Atkin both still injured Alex Townsend was called into the squad. Keenan King came in up front with Jon Stevenson on the bench.
The home side started well with Alvin Jarvis heading Tom Manship's free kick from the left just over the bar on 4 minutes. Romulus responded with Liam Hailey making a good run down the left only to fire his shot over the bar.
Townsend was brought into action having to punch away a corner by Mark Branch which looked to be heading in to the net at the near post.
Romulus had a very good chance to take the lead seconds later. Liam Hailey raced forward but with only Townsend to beat skewed his shot wide of the far post.
The unlucky Manship had to be replaced on 24 minutes by Jon Stevenson after collecting what looked like a back or hip injury.
On 29 minutes Gresley were in front from a good move including King, Browne and Melbourne with the latter finishing well with a powerfully hit low shot from just inside the past the diving keeper Leighton Smith.
However, the lead only lasted six minutes. A long ball out of the Romulus defence bisected the Gresley defence and Francis latched onto it slipping it past the advancing Townsend.
As the first half drew to a close Gresley had a chance to regain the lead when Browne made a fine run down the right and his cross found Morris at the far post but his attempted header went wide.
Gresley started the second half putting Romulus under pressure forcing three consecutive corners. However, they went close from a free kick. Substitute Stevenson slung over a good free kick from the right and was unlucky to see Alvin Jarvis head the ball across the goal from the far post and narrowly wide of the opposite post.
The Moatmen regained their lead on 62 minutes. Reece Morris cut in from the right on the edge of the area and found Browne who still had work to do but he managed to turn and fire into the net with the aid of a slight deflection.
It was now Gresley's turn to defend which they did admirably repelling the Romulus pressure as the visitors went looking to get something out of the game for all their efforts.
Francis went close as he turned well on the edge of the area which flew just wide and they went even closer in time added on. Substitute Ashley Jackson rifled a shot from 20 yards which Townsend superbly tipped over the bar.
