Droylsden F.C.-The bloods on the net!

HARROGATE TOWN 1 - 1 DROYLSDEN

Nationwide North, Saturday 21st October 2006

Report by Gary Owen

Many Bloods' pundits would have been satisfied with a point from this fixture before a ball was kicked, but for the first 35 minutes Droylsden looked in total control of this match and seemingly on course for victory.

However, Kevin Lynch threw a huge spanner into the works when he saw red just after the half hour for the second of two petulant fouls on Darren Dunning.

Hence, the Bloods' task looked even more difficult with their numerical disadvantage on a bobbly surface that prevented decent passing football, but Jody Banim thought he had snatched victory with a beautifully executed goal with just twleve minutes remaining.

Chris Timnons had other ideas, though, as he pounced on a slip by Garry Burke to give Paul Phillips no chance just four minutes later.

The Bloods began very well, pinning their hosts back into their own area for the opening ten minutes before Colin Hunter began to show for the hosts with two strikes, the first hitting Carl Ruffer and the second being tipped round the post by Phillips.

Ruffer then almost grabbed the lead for Droylsden, but he just failed to connect with Terry Fearns' cross, but Harrogate retaliated immediately through Danny Holland, but his volley flew over.

Jamie Tandy then picked-out Jimmy Williams with a pin-point cross, but his goalbound effort unfortunately struck team-mate Fearns.

On 26 minutes, Holland saw his unchallenged header fly wide before Lynch did the same from Tandy's cross, which was his last meaningful contribution before taking his early bath.

Moments before the break, Phillips was in the wars when he threw himself bravely at Chris Ellerker's feet from a Town free kick, suffering some studs in the chest as he made the save.

After the break, at least Droylsden had the advantage of playing down the Wetherby Road slope, but Ruffer lost possession to Holland, who bore down on the Bloods goal only to be denied by Phillips who plamed his effort away from goal.

A Banim free kick and a long range effort from substitute Kevin Rapley both went straight to James Lindely in the Town goal, and a Steve Jagielka cross just eluded Fearns in front of goal as the Bloods continued to create chances despite being a man down.

Chirs Bettney saw a shot fly wide for the hosts before Banim struck his magic, battling past two defenders and then lobbing the ball coolly over the advancing Lindley from a tight angle.

The Bloods' lead was short-lived, however. First Holland saw his effort fly over the bar, but then Burke failed to clear a low cross and presented the ball to Timons just 6 yards from goal, and the big central defender made no mistake.

Burke almost made immediate amends, but his shot at the far post from a corner was palmed away by Lindley.

In the closing minutes, Phillips saved from Timons and a Holland hooked effort went just over the apex of bar and post.

So it was a share of the spoils leaving matters extremely tight at the top of the Nationwide North with just one point separating the top five, with the travelling Bloods' contingent left to consider what might have been had it been eleven versus eleven for the duration.

HARROGATE TN.: Lindley, Wood L., Merris, Ellerker, Timons, Dunning, Bettney, Hunter R., Jackson, Holland, Hunter C..

SUBS: McGarry (not used), Philpott (for Jackson, 63), Price (for Merris, 80), Wood M. (not used).

DROYLSDEN: Phillips 8, Robinson 7, Warner 7, Ruffer 9, Burke 7, Lynch 4, Tandy 6, JAGIELKA 9, Fearns 6, Banim 8, Williams 7.

SUBS: Rapley 6 (for Tandy, 46), Wolski 6 (for Robinson, 46), Howard (not used), Adams (not used), Westhead (not used). ATTENDANCE: 639

REFEREE: Mr. A. P. Morbin (Sheffield, South Yorkshire)