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

DROYLSDEN 4 - 1 FARSLEY CELTIC

Nationwide North, Saturday 24th March 2007

Report by Gary Owen

The Bloods extended their lead to the top of the table by five points, albeit temporarily, following this victory over their West Yorkshire visitors who deserved more from the game than a three goal deficit.

Farlsey's play-off aspirations took a turn for the worse in the opening minutes, as the league leaders quickly established a two goal lead thanks to another brace from leading marksman Terry Fearns.

His first, after just three minutes, came as he latched-on to Steve Jagielka's pass to hold off a defender, send Tom Morgan to ground with a dummy, and then slot home from the residual tight angle.

Farsley then enjoyed much possession, but the quality of their ball in the final third let them down, until Craig Midgely almost connected with a fine cross from the right wing.

However, Fearns notched his second after a fine flowing move. Jamie Tandy's astute pass found Jagielka down the right flank, and his low cross was coolly converted by the former Southport front man.

On 35 minutes, Ryan Sugden found himeslf on-on-one with Paul Phillips, but the Droylsden custodian was out quickly at the feet of the Celtic forward to snatch the ball.

Celtic should have reduced the arrears just before the break. A towering header from Ryan Crossley was palmed onto the woodwork by Phillips, and Sugden couldn't turn quickly enough to shoot allowing Craig Robinson to block his close range shot.

After the break, Fearns went in search of his hat-trick, but his shot from a tight angle was well saved by Morgan with Steve Daly well placed. Phillips then saved from Simeon Bambrook before The Bloods struck a third.

A rather inocuous foul on Tandy resulted in Gareth Morris curling a free kick over the wall and into the corner of the net, giving Morgan no chance.

Droylsden then looked to go nap, but Fearns' shot came back of the upright.

The game then seemed to swing strongly in Farsley's favour. Firstly, the Celts were themselves awarded a free kick, which Bambrook shot straight at the wall, but he slammed the rebound past the unsighted Phillips on 75 minutes.

Then, just two minutes later, Celtic were handed a lifeline in the form of a spot kick, but Phillips brilliantly saved Bambrook's effort, who skied the rebound over the bar.

That looked to be the end of the action, until Jimmy Kelly capped a man-of-the-match performance by firing home a bullet of a free kick in added time.

DROYLSDEN: Phillips 9, Williams 6, Warner 6, Ruffer 8, Robinson 7, Morris 7, Tandy 7, KELLY 9, Fearns 7, Daly 7, Jagielka 7.

SUBS: Burke (not used), Lynch (not used), Fowler 6 (for Jagielka, 82), Norton 6 (for Tandy, 77), Fitzpatrick (not used).

FARSLEY CELTIC: Morgan, Stabb, Serrant R., Knowles, Crossley, Serrant C., Downes, Iqbal, Sugden, Midgley, Stamer.

SUBS: Dunne (not used), Bambrook (for Midgley, 46), Grant (for Serrant R., 77), Watson (for Downes, 64), Cuss (not used).

SCORERS:

DROYLSDEN - Fearns (3 and 11), Morris (65), Kelly (90 and 3)

FARSLEY CELTIC - Bambrook (75)

REFEREE: Mr. P. Dunn (St. Helens, Merseyside)

ATTENDANCE: 501