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

HINCKLEY UNITED 2 - 1 DROYLSDEN

Nationwide North, Saturday 2nd September 2006

Report by Gary Owen

The Knitters of Hinckley hit the summit of the Nationwide North with this victory over the Bloods on Saturday, but on this showing neither side looked like title contenders, although both managers will be able to cite the unavailability of key players.

Nevertheless, this was a poor showing from the Bloods as their away day blues continue after the season's excellent opening victory at Farsley.

The first half was a particularly dour display, with Danny Haystead in the Hinckley goal not having a shot to save, but Chris Denham almost squeezed the ball over the line from a corner with Droylsden's only first half chance.

That, however, was after they had already fallen behind to an Andy Brown goal, who waltzed around Paul Phillips to slot home on 15 minutes.

Matters turned worse for the Bloods just after the half hour, when Kevin Rapley missed a header in midfield and Leon Jackson held off Garry Burke (seemingly with his elbow), but the ball fell to Leon Kelly with just Phillips to beat. Phillips tripped the former Worcester striker to concede the penalty, but referree Mr. Evans fortunately only showed yellow to the Bloods' custodian in what could otherwise have been a repeat showing of the episode at Moor Green.

Jamie Lenton made no mistake from the spot, though, to double the home side's advantage.

Hinckley continued to pose questions of the Droylsden defence, with Burke having to head clear a dangerous cross from Sam Shilton and Kelly eventually being crowded out before he could shoot.

The half-time whistle brought some reprieve for the weary travellers, and Dave Pace's pep talk seemed to have done the trick, with the Bloods much more in the ascendancy in the second half, but always looking vulnerable to the break away.

Gareth Morris blasted an effort just wide as Hinckley could only half clear a Steve Halford cross, but Hinckley could have extended their lead when Brown raced away down the left flank, but his cross just eluded the onrushing Jackson and Kelly.

On 54 minutes, Phillips did well to tip over after back peddling to reach a deflected shot, but on the hour mark Jody Banim had Danny Haystead at full stretch to turn away a clever near post free kick.

Phillips also saved well from both Shilton and the diminutive Neil Cartwright before Steve Daly was introduced for Rapley. Daly volleyed over from a Morris free kick, but then the former Southport striker latched on to a fine through ball from Denham to half the arrears with 15 minutes remaining to set up a nail biting finale.

Banim was a yard wide with a great effort from the edge of the box, and both he and Terry Fearns both went close, but time ran out for the Bloods, who were ultimately let down by their first half display.

Three points must now be a high priority at home to Alfreton on Saturday before the Bloods next take to the road to visit high flyers Blyth Spartans the following week.

HINCKLEY UTD.: Haystead, Storer, Lenton, Lavery, Gadsby, Birch, Catwright, Jackson, Brown, Kelly, Shilton.

SUBS: Story (for Kelly, 62), Wykes (not used), Diuk (for Storer, 84), Castle (not used).

DROYLSDEN: Phillips 6, Halford 6, Warner 7, Robinson 8, Burke 5, Morris 6, Jagielka 6, Rapley 5, Fearns 5, BANIM 8, Denham 6 .

SUBS: Williams 6 (for Burke, 66), Hall (not used), Daly 6 (for Rapley, 58), Fitzpatrick (not used), Westhead (not used).

ATTENDANCE: 609

REFEREE: Mr. I. A. Evans (Wolverhampton, West Midlands)