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

ALFRETON TOWN 1 - 3 DROYLSDEN

Nationwide North, Saturday 6th January 2007

Report by Gary Owen

The Bloods extended their lead at the top of the Nationwide North with this hard-fought 3-1 victory in Derbyshire, whilst second-placed Hinckley United suffered a defeat at home to Harrogate Town.

The game was marred by the dismissal of home skipper Marcus Edbon when a two-footed lunge at his counterpart, Garry Burke, just before the break caused a melee to ensue.

By that stage, however, Droylsden had already taken the lead through Steve Halford's flick header at the near post from Gareth Morris' free-kick on 12 minutes.

Either side of the goal, Terry Fearns and Jamie Vaughan both saw efforts fly over, and Steve Jagielka shot just wide of the upright from Jamie Tandy's clever pass.

As the half wore on, though, it was in-form Alfreton who experienced lots of posession, but failed to test Paul Phillips in the visitors' goal. It was on the stroke of 45 minutes when Alfreton recorded their first shot on target, as Andrew Tiday shot straight at Phillips.

After the break, Alfreton belied their numerical disadvantage to take the game to the Bloods, and on 50 minutes they struck the base of Phillips' right-hand upright when a corner caused havoc in the Droylsden box.

On 54 minutes, former Hucknall man Danny Mayman missed a great opportunity to level matters when Tiday outstripped Vaughan, only for Mayman to screw woefully wide when well placed.

Burke then had to head clear as Phillips went walkabout, but Alfreton were always vulnerable to the Bloods' pacey counter-attacks. Morris bent his free kick around the wall and with Dale Roberts beaten, the ball struck the upright.

Mayman had a shot blocked after Mark Rawle had got the better of Halford, but on 73 minutes the Bloods extended their lead when Jody Banim, who caused problems for the Alfreton back-line all afternoon, raced away down the right flank and crossed low for Terry Fearns to notch his 51st goal in a Bloods shirt, as he coolly clipped the ball over Roberts.

Droylsden then switched off, as from the re-start, Alfreton forced a corner, from which Rawle rose highest to head home just a minute later.

The Bloods made the points safe on 88 minutes, when substitute Chris Denham cut inside ex-Stalybridge left-back Mark Barnard to shoot. Roberts could only parry, and Fearns was on hand to convert the rebound.

In added time, Fearns missed the chance for his hat-trick when he tried to beat one man too many, and then Tandy shot straight at Roberts in the dying moments.

With over half of the season now gone, the Bloods have their destiny firmly in their own hands, although there is much football to be played yet in this very competitive league.

ALFRETON: Roberts, Clarke, Barnard, Hannigan, Winder, Nwadike, Mayman, Ebdon, Tiday, Rawle, Burbeary.

SUBS: Reeves (for Mayman, 78), Whitman (not used), Glass (for Burbeary, 86), Turner (not used), Brown (not used).

DROYLSDEN: Phillips 7, Vaughan 7, Halford 8, Robinson 7, Burke 7, Morris 7, Tandy 8, Kelly 7, Fearns 7, BANIM 8, Jagielka 6.

SUBS: Daly (not used), Lynch 6 (for Morris, 78), Williams (not used), Denham 7 (for Jagielka, 70), Ruffer (for Robinson, 90).

ATTENDANCE: 314

REFEREE: Mr. Andrew J. Madley (Ossett, West Yorkshire)

SCORERS:

Alfreton Town - Rawle (74)

Droylsden - Halford (12), Fearns (73 and 88)