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

LEIGH R. M. I. 2 - 2 DROYLSDEN

Nationwide North, Saturday 11th November 2006

Report by Gary Owen

Four defensive errors on a sqaully afternoon in Greater Manchester meant that the sparse crowd for this local derby had four goals to cheer about.

The blustery conditions with a down-field wind ensured that this was the metaphorical game of two halves. However, with the Bloods playing against the elements in the first half, it was they who created the game's first chance, but leading marksman Terry Fearns steered his unchallenged header wide of the mark from Steve Jagielka's cross.

Moments later, the Railwaymen won a corner, but Gavin-Lee Ellison's free header was also off the mark.

On 19 minutes, though, a long wind-assisted ball eluded Paul Phillips in the visitors' goal, and Steve Settle outwitted Garry Burke to steer home, despite claims of handball from Phillips.

Seven minutes later, Chris Simm struck a sweet volley from the edge of the box, but Phillips held firm as the hosts looked to capitalise on their first half advantage.

Ten minutes before the break, a quick Droylsden free-kick saw Fearns in front of goal, but he was crowded-out by Leigh defenders before he could strike.

Leigh then countered in numbers, and an Andy Roscoe shot was blocked by Burke.

Another Gareth Morris free kick caused confusion in the Leigh box, and Craig Robinson pounced to put the visitors on level terms, before John Lamb tipped over Kevin Lynch's first time effort as the Bloods finished the half stronger.

Six minutes after the re-start, Chris Denham missed a great opportunity to give Droylsden the lead as he shot wide when perhaps a lob over the stranded Lamb might have been a better option.

Jagielka then lost possession deep in his own half, but Simm failed to capitalise.

Droylsden eventually took the lead on 59 minutes, when Steve Daly latched on to a loose defensive header in the Leigh area and slotted past Lamb.

Denham saw a curled effort fly just wide before Leigh struck level when Lee Unsworth's low cross was not dealt with by either Phillips nor Burke, and Dan Owen gratefully tapped home.

With the wind behind them, the Bloods looked the more likely of the two sides to win the game, but visiting substitute Jody Banim saw his shot accross the face of goal flash wide, and then Fearns lost his footing with only Lamb to beat.

Leigh almost snatched the winner deep into injury time, but Kieran Lugsden's low shot lacked the power to beat Phillips, and so it was the home side who clearly looked the more pleased of the two sides with a point, whereas Droylsden will view this as a further two points dropped in their promotion campaign.

LEIGH R. M. I.: Lamb, Dunne, Roscoe, McAuley, Maddox, Ellison, Unsworth, Hussin, Owen, Simm, Settle.

SUBS: Jackson (for Owen, 79), Mann (not used), Lugsden (for Simm, 86), Taylor (for Dunne, 66), McGrath (not used).

DROYLSDEN: Phillips, Williams, Adams, Robinson, Burke, Morris, Lynch, Jagielka, Fearns, Daly, Denham.

SUBS: Banim (for Daly, 78), Tandy (for Morris70), Halford (not used), Howard (not used), Warner (not used).

ATTENDANCE: 209

REFEREE: Mr. G. Johnson (Liverpool)

SCORERS:

Leigh R. M. I. - Steve Settle (19), Dan Owen (69)

Droylsden - Craig Robinson (41) Steve Daly (59)