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

DROYLSDEN 2 - 1 REDDITCH UNITED

Nationwide North, Monday 14th August 2006

Report by Gary Owen

Droylsden's desire for a good start to this season's Nationwide North campaign maintained its momentum against a spirited Redditch side at the Butcher's Arms on Monday evening.

Despite falling behind, the Bloods showed good character to come from behind and inflict a second defeat in two days on the Worcestershire side, whilst claiming maximum points for themselves from their two outings to date.

Both sides created early openings, the hosts through Chris Denham and Jody Banim, and Robert Taylor for Redditch showed great pace to run at the home defence, but Steve Halford held firm at the expense of a corner.

The first effort on target fell to the visitors on the qaurter hour, but Paul Phillips made an easy stop low to his right.

Phillips pumped the ball up to the other end where an almighty scramble ensued, but Banim, Terry Fearns nor Kevin Rapley were able to get clean strikes on the ball and Redditch cleared their lines.

On 20 minutes, the visitors took the lead when Ben Petty crossed into the box, and Chris Murphy rose to direct a fine header beyond Phillips.

Redditch continued to press, and Murphy left Gareth Morris for dead in midfield to set-up Carl Palmer, but his shot flew well over the bar.

Droylsden went in serach of the equaliser, and Fearns was denied by some fine defending from Asa Charlton, who stopped his effort virtually on the line, as did Exodus Geohaghon from Morris moments later.

The Bloods continued to ask questions of the Redditch defence, with Banim, Chris Denham and Daniel Warner all involved in a fine flowing move that almost found Fearns, but Richard Anstiss cut out the cross.

The leveller finally arrived by way of a penalty on 37 minutes, when referee Mr. Green spotted a push by Simon Rea on Fearns, who himself despatched the spot kick.

Redditch reacted well, though, and Halford had to be alert to prevent Richard Softley from getting sight of goal, and a low cross from Simon Hollis almost found the onrushing Murphy and Taylor just yards from goal.

However, the hosts took the half-time lead as Carl Ruffer's brave diving header in a crowded box beat Anstiss on 43 minutes.

After the turn-around, Rapley shot over for the Bloods, and then Hollis missed a great chance to equalise when the ball fell to his feet on the edge of the box, but his effort was wide of the mark.

Halford saw a header cleared off the line, and Denham and Fearns both went close as the hosts finally began to exert some control over matters. Banim also forced Anstiss into a fine save.

Redditch did manage to get sight of the Droylsden goal, though, and Rea was unlucky to see his overhead kick go straight to Phillips.

In the closing stages, though, it was backs to the wall for the Worcestershire side as Droylsden went all out to put the game to bed. Robbie Talbot threatened, but was crowded out by three defenders, and then fellow substitute Steve Jagielka's header at full stretch was high of the mark.

Banim beat two, but shot wide with only Anstiss to beat, and Banim again forced Anstiss into another great save after good work by Denham.

In the final minute, Morris almost caught Anstiss off his line from the half way line, but with the visiting custodian beaten, the ball also cleared the bar by a yard.

Although Droylsden could not add to their tally, two wins in two days is an excellent start for Dave Pace's charges, whereas Gary Whild must pick his men up after two defeats.

DROYLSDEN: Phillips 7, Williams 7, Warner 7, HALFORD 9, Ruffer 8, Morris 8, Rapley 7, Lynch 6, Fearns 6, Banim 8, Denham 8.

SUBS: Talbot 7 (for Fearns, 83), Jagielka 7 (for Lynch, 74), Fitzpatrick 8 (for Rapley, 56), Robinson C. (not used), Gibbins (not used).

REDDITCH UNITED: Anstiss, Petty, Charlton, Rea, Geohaghon, Softley, Hollis, Murphy, Taylor, Whitcombe, Palmer.

SUBS: Francis (for Whitcombe, 60), Knott (not used), Reece (for Talyor, 85), Robinson R. (for Softley, 64), Willetts (not used).

REFEREE: Mr. R. C. Green (Chorley, Lancashire)

ATTENDANCE: 443