Midland Football League Premier Division
Castle Vale , Birmingham
Monday, 5th August 2019, 7.45pm
Poor Start Continues
Gresley’s poor start to the new season continued with a defeat to Romulus at Castle Vale.
The first half was fairly even but the second half was dominated by the home side and Gresley’s plight was not helped with the sending off of Jacob Sturgess with 10 minutes remaining.
Gresley included two new faces. Centre back Myles Brooks came into the heart of the defence alongside Jake McIntosh and James Harrison on the bench.
The visitors’ night didn’t have the best of starts with Kane Lee having to be stretchered off after twisting his knee with just 11 minutes gone to be replaced by Harrison.
Gresley went close with Daniel Glover firing Harrison’s corner just wide followed a few minutes later with Jordan Fitzpatrick also firing wide.
Romulus’s first attempt of note came on 26 minutes with former Moatman Dean Rathbone firing just over from distance.
Gresley came close to taking the lead moments later when Andrew Westwood’s shot was somehow deflected over the bar.
After a even first half Romulus began to take a strangle hold on the game helped by Gresley players failing to find a team mate with their passes and losing possession easily when in good positions.
This encouraged the hosts and it took a fine save from Gresley keeper Dan Crane tipping Shane Benjamin’s header over the bar.
The speedy Simeon Colbourne, who was top scorer in the MFL First Division last season, should have given his side the lead after being put through. But, with only Crane to beat, could only screw his shot wide of the far post.
Pressure was mounting and it was only a matter of time for that pressure to tell. Crane had to get down smartly to stop a low shot but moments later he could not prevent Romulus from taking a deserved lead on 62 minutes. Crane made a good block from a well struck shot but was helpless to stop Josh Willis who reacted the quickest to slam home the rebound.
Crane denied the home side from doubling their advantage five minutes later pushing Lewis Heyden’s shot away for a corner.
Romulus were now playing the football which showed they could be one of the teams to be up at the top of the league vying for promotion come the end of the season.
Despite the pressure Gresley did have their chances to get back into the game. Fitzpatrick tested home keeper Billy Spink with a free kick and and Brooks shooting Fitzpatrick’s next free kick straight at the keeper.
With 10 minutes remaining Sturgess retaliated to a tackle and deservedly was shown a straight red card by the referee.
A few minutes later Gresley were denied what looked like a clear penalty when Fitzpatrick was brought down in the area as he ran in on goal and was about to shoot. The referee waved away the protests despite the sound of boot on boot being heard all around the stadium.
With Gresley desperately trying to get back into the game they conceded another goal. A corner from the right by Chris Cowley was returned to him and he played the ball back to Willis who slammed his shot from the edge of the area past Crane.
Gresley now have a rest from league action with a trip to Dunkirk on Saturday in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup.
