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

DROYLSDEN 1 - 0 MOOR GREEN

Nationwide North, Saturday 14th April 2007

Report by Gary Owen

Droylsden put one hand firmly on the Nationwide North trophy with this closely-fought 1-0 victory over Moor Green in stifiling conditions.

The Bloods made early in-roads into the Moors' defence, with Terry Fearns twice getting beyond their rearguard, only for the chance to go begging, before Steve Daly did likewise.

Those missed chances were almost punished on 17 minutes when David Bridgewater found himself unmarked at the far post from Darren Middleton's deep cross, but he volleyed over the bar.

The Bloods were soon back in the ascendancy, though, as the Moors failed to fully clear a free kick and Steve Jagielka's volley from the edge of the box was smartly turned-away by Daniel Lewis.

However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 24th minute with what proved to be the game's only goal. Steve Daly benefitted from a mis-judgement by Lee Ayres to keep his composure and slot past Lewis.

Kevin Lynch and Jamie Tandy were both off target before Jagielka's curled effort flew just wide of the upright, but Droylsden were unable to add to their lead before the turn-around.

Peter Faulds and Dale Anderson linked-up well to create an opening for the latter to shoot, but Paul Phillips palmed away the striker's goal-bound effort moments after the break.

On 49 minutes, Fearns again found himself clean through with just Lewis to beat, which he did, but the ball rolled agonisingly the wrong side of the post, thereby keeping the Bloods with the slenderest of leads.

Moor Green almost levelled matters on 56 minutes when a well worked free kick by Bridgewater put Middleton through, but his angled drive came back off the frame of the goal.

Just before the hour mark, the ball fell invitingly for Tandy to unleash a superb half-volley which had Lewis beaten all ends up, but the ball crashed-off the inside of the post allowing the Moors to clear.

Bridgewater shot over from a free kick, and Blake Norton and Fearns both went close in the dying moments at the other end, before the referee settled any nerves with his final whistle.

With Kettering's defeat at Hinckley United, the Bloods once again top the table and require five points from their remaining three fixtures to be certain of the title. However, given their superior goal difference, four points from the last three games should be sufficient to land the elusive Nationwide North crown.

DROYLSDEN: Phillips 7, Halford 6, Warner 6, Ruffer 8, Burke 8, Morris 6, TANDY 8, Lynch 8, Fearns 5, Daly 7, Jagielka 6.

SUBS: Norton (for Tandy, 77), Kelly (for Lynch, 71), Fowler (not used), Robinson (not used), Fitzpatrick (not used).

MOOR GREEN: Lewis, English, Midworth, Collins, Ayres, Bridgewater, Morrison, Middleton, Faulds, Anderson, Trainer.

SUBS: Moore (for Anderson, 77), Motteram (not used), Sanders (not used), Scott (not used), Briscoe (for Bridgewater, 66).

SCORERS: DROYLSDEN - Daly (24)

REFEREE: Mr. D. W. Stewart (The Wirral)

ATTENDANCE: 393