GOALS from Royce Turville and Marc Goodfellow lifted the spirits of Gresley supporters, management and players alike, as they strolled to a comfortable win on the artificial surface at Coles Lane.
Turville broke the deadlock at the end of the first half, and Marc Goodfellow sealed the win in the second with the visitors getting the added bonus of a clean sheet in the process.
Gresley made changes with Ryan Walker taking the right-back slot, which allowed Jamie Barrett to move into midfield in the absence of Danny Holmes.
After making an impact as a substitute against Mickleover, Jordan Nadat was given the striker’s role alongside Turville.
Romulus created a rare chance early on in the game when Luke Keen headed over Tyrone Amory’s cross from the left, but Gresley soon took control and it was only stubborn defending that prevented the visitors from opening their account.
A good move down the left saw Goodfellow pick out Nadat, who found Jordi Gough racing in and the defender’s shot flew over the bar.
Nadat then struck a low drive straight at Romulus keeper Lewis Exall.
Gresley continued to press and forced a series of corners but were unable to take advantage of the building pressure.
Nadat then found Dean Rathbone with a cross from the right but again the resulting shot flew over the bar.
Just as it seemed that the half would end all square Gresley were awarded a corner. Goodfellow swung the ball into the box before it found its way back to the same player.
Goodfellow delivered once again and this time Turville was waiting to head home from close range at the far post.
The goal was no more than Gresley deserved after dominating the first half, and less than 10 minutes into the second period the visitors had extended their lead.
Goodfellow made a good run down the right flank and curled a superb low shot that appeared to deceive the keeper as it flew into the goal in the far bottom corner of the net
Nadat tried his luck with a searing shot from 22 yards that fizzed past the upright.
Despite Romulus’ best efforts they found it difficult to test Gresley keeper Gary Hateley who hardly had a shot to save all match.
With seven minutes of the game remaining the home side fashioned a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit, but Liam Francis managed to blaze his shot almost out of the ground when well placed inside the Gresley area.
New recruit Kristian Cox came on as a substitute, alongside the returning Gareth Langford, but the game was as good as over with Romulus offering little to worry the visitors.
Langford could have added a third late on, but his powerful shot from the edge of the area flew the wrong side of the post with Exall rooted to the spot.
SCORERS: Turville 40, Goodfellow 53 (Gresley).
ROMULUS: Exall, Wynter, Lee, Robinson (Ravenhill 53), Francis, Recci, O’Callaghan, Keen (Deacon 53), Clarke (Brown 50), Amory, Jackson. Subs not used: Evans, Diaby.
GRESLEY: Hateley, Walker, Gough, Strzyzewski, Nottingham, Barrett, Lyons, Rathbone, Nadat, Turville, Goodfellow. Subs not used: Minshull, Woodward (gk).
YELLOW CARDS: Deacon (Romulus); Gough, Nottingham, Nadat (Gresley).
GRESLEY STAR MAN: Ryan Walker – assured performance at right-back.
REFEREE: Les Sinclair (Newcastle-under-Lyme).
ATTENDANCE: 102.
