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

DROYLSDEN 3 - 2 WORKSOP TOWN

Nationwide North, Monday 28th August 2006

Report by Colin Donald

Droylsden were relieved to get back to winning ways after two straight defeats away from the 'fortress' of a blustery Butchers Arms.

A brace from Jody Banim came in the most unlikely of circumstances when the livewire Bloods front man took his chance in his favoured position after coming off the bench after 28 minutes of play to replace the unfortunate Steve Daly who took a knock after a poor challenge by Worksops Michael Simpkins, who was shown the yellow card for his actions. The early signs were good for Droylsden as Chris Denham's low cross into the 6 yard area just eluded the feet of Robbie Talbot and Daly who was ghosting in at the far post.

After only 4 minutes The Bloods should have had a penalty after good build up play from Gareth Morris, Denham and Terry Fearns found impressive playmaker Steve Jagielka who's deep cross appeared to be steered away from goal by the hand of Worksops Antony Jackson as it seemed everyone else in the ground, apart from the Referee who waved play on, saw the offence in question.

Town tried to make in roads past the Droylsden backline but Danny Warner averted the danger as he cleared from the impressive Jon Froggatt. Jagielka then wasted a good opportunity volleying high over the bar after Warner's pinpoint cross. The Bloods Steve Halford then cut out a dangerous through ball moments later as the game switched from one end to the other in the early stages.

The breakthrough went Droylsdens way on the quarter hour when firstly Talbot then Morris had shots charged down just outside the area, Jaglielka picked up the loose ball and threaded it into the path of Denham on the right who's goal bound effort took a fortunate deflection off Worksop midfielder Glen Downey as it looped over a static Steve Wilson in the Town goal. Seven minutes later though Town were on level terms when a headed clearance from Gary Burke was picked up by Jon Froggatt who cut across from the right before seeing off the challenge of Warner then firing low under Paul Phillips from the edge of the area.

Andy Parton went close a minute later when he took the ball down the right and rifled in a dipping shot that Phillips did well to tip onto the bar.

Worksop spurred on by their equaliser took the game to Droylsden but the Bloods hit back to take the lead after 38 minutes. After an excellent move involving Burke, Morris and Jagielka, Banim was put clear on the right skipping past his marker inside the area before blasting home an unstoppable shot that Wilson and Karl Everett between them had no chance of clearing. Moments later though Droylsdens injury worries were further added to when Talbot, who had put the ball in the net but was already adjudged to be off side, went down under a challenge from Simpkins who had previously been booked. Referee Mr. Smallwood saw no wrong doing and Talbot was stretchered off with what was later to be diagnosed as hairline fracture and ligament damage.

The Tigers started the second half brightly when Froggatt cut inside from the right and powered in a left foot drive that was just wide of the upright. Denham then replied when his run from the half-way line ended in a shot that was saved well by Wilson.

Banim began to revel in his more familiar forward role and it wasn't long before he had Wilson at full stretch to parry away a blistering close range shot after being released down the left. Moments later Fitzpatrick volleyed over after Denham's initial shot was blocked.

Droylsdens domination of the second half paid dividends as they increased their lead on 74 minutes when a pass from Warner found Banim who cut inside on the left before firing a superb angled drive across the face of Wilson to cap a fine afternoon's work.

With 10 minutes remaining Steve Owens could have pulled one back for Worksop but headed over when totally unmarked. The Bloods did concede another late goal in stoppage time as they took their foot off the gas allowing Steve Robinson time on the left to curl the ball with the outside of his foot over an outstretched Phillips and into the top corner to give the score line a flattering appearance.

This result sees the Bloods go equal on points at the top with Blyth as they continue their impressive home record of winning 14 and drawing one of their last 15 games.

Droylsden : Paul Phillips 7 Steve Halford 8 Danny Warner 8 Craig Robinson 7 Gary Burke ( c ) 7 Gareth Morris 7 Steve Jagielka 9 ( Kevin Rapley 81 ) NO RATING , NOT ON LONG ENOUGH Robbie Talbot 7 ( Ian Fitzpatrick 40 ) 6 Terry Fearns 7 Steve Daly 6 ( Jody Banim 28 ) 8 Chris Denham 8 Subs not used: Jimmy Williams, Neil Hall.

Worksop Town : Steve Wilson, Steve Nicholson, Kevin Davies, Glen Downey, Antony Jackson, Michael Simpkins, Karl Everett ( Lee Thompson 77 ), Steve Robinson, Andy Parton ( Steve Owens 66 ), Tony Crane ( c ), Jon Froggatt ( Jamie Harwood 75 ) . Subs not used: Blake Norton, Adam Oldham.

Referee: Mr. W.D. Smallwood (Northwich)

Assistants: Mr. N. Larsen. (Liverpool) and Mr. H. Yamauchi ( Liverpool )

Half-Time: 2 - 1

Full-Time: 3 - 2

Scorers: Denham 15, Banim 38, 74. (Droylsden), Froggatt 22, Robinson 90. (Worksop Town).

MOM: Steve Jagielka.

DFC Supporters Club MOM: HOME: Jody Banim. AWAY: Jon Froggatt.

Attendance: 423

MATCH RATING: THREE STARS