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

DROYLSDEN 1 - 1 ALFRETON TOWN

Nationwide North, Saturday 9th September 2006

Report by Colin Donald

Droylsden had to settle for a disappointing draw as Alfreton took their first ever league point from the Butchers Arms ground.

In a game where Terry Fearns could well have bagged a hat trick, a combination of poor finishing and the safe handling of Alfretons on loan Nottingham Forest young keeper prevented the Bloods from taking all three points from this game.

Droylsden were almost gifted an early lead when Dale Roberts had to react smartly to divert Gary Sucharewycz's near own goal onto the post as Terry Fearns cross caused confusion in the box after Steve Jagielka's initial telling pass.

A Carl Ruffer header from a corner forced a save from Roberts and the town custodian reacted well again when he pushed away a drive from Fearns after Steve Daly had set up the chance.

Moments later Fearns should have done better with a Ruffer pass but shot inches wide of the upright.

Droylsdens debut keeper Mark Westhead was rarely troubled during the first period as Alfreton were reduced to long range efforts but Andrew Tiday should have forced a save but headed wide from a corner after finding himself with time and space. Jermaine Palmer then had a shot charged down by Carl Ruffer after delaying too long on the edge of the area and the danger was averted.

Craig Robinson's long ball then found Fearns who cut inside his marker before laying the ball off to Jody Banim who totally failed to connect with the ball and another chance went begging. Gareth Morris created another opportunity for Fearns who brought the ball down superbly but Roberts was there again to save the resulting shot.

Neither side really took a hold of a scrappy first half nor could Alfreton capitalize on the Bloods inability to put away their chances in the first period.

There was more urgency from Droylsden at the start of the second half and they took the lead on 48 minutes. Chris Denham went past his marker and played the ball out wide to Steve Daly who crossed low for Fearns to guide the ball in from close home.

Fearns could well have increased the Bloods lead 4 minutes later after being released by Banim but fired over from just outside the area.

Town replaced Stephen Melton on the hour with Tristram Whitman, to form a four man attack in a bid to get back in the game. On 71 minutes Banim wasted a good opportunity when he blazed a free kick well over from the edge of the area.

Alfreton made no mistake though a minute later when a free kick from near 25 yards was won on the left. Tiday stepped up and curled in a lovely effort to make a 'neat' job of finishing for the equalizer.

4 minutes later though Droylsden should have restored the lead when Mark Turner lost possession to Jagielka who played Fearns in on goal but Roberts made the save to deny the Bloods striker once again.

Westhead had to race out of his area with 8 minutes to go to clear a through ball from Palmer intended for Craig Mitchell who nearly got lucky as the ball rebounded back, but past the open goal.

A late rally from Droylsden saw Denham then Fearns both have efforts blocked in quick succession after a dangerous free-kick into the box by Morris.The last action of the game saw Denham unluckily pull a shot agonizingly wide across the face of goal after a clever one-two involving Banim.

Next Saturday the Bloods face a real test of character as they travel to table toppers Blyth Spartans, before entertaining local rivals Stalybridge Celtic Two days later.

THE TEAMS:

Droylsden: Mark Westhead 6 Steve Halford 7 Danny Warner 7 Craig Robinson 8 Carl Ruffer (c) ( Jimmy Williams 37 ) 7 Gareth Morris 6 Steve Jagielka 7 Jody Banim 7 Terry Fearns 7 Steve Daly 6 ( Chris Adams 67 ) Chris Denham 7. Subs not used: Gary Burke, Kevin Rapley, Neil Hall.

Alfreton Town: Dale Roberts Ryan Clarke Lee Featherstone Gary Sucharewycz Mark Turner Stephen Melton ( Tristram Whitman 59 ) Emeka Nwadike ( Anton Brown 53 ) Marcus Ebdon (c) Jermaine Palmer Matthew Glass ( Craig Mitchell 45 ) Andrew Tiday. Subs not used: Mark Barnard, Ashley Burbeary.

Referee: Mr D.W.Stewart ( Wirrall )

Assistants: S.J. Copeland B.J. Robinson

Half-Time: 0 - 0

Full- Time: 1 - 1

Scorers: Fearns 48 ( Droylsden ) Tiday 72 ( Alfreton Town )

MOM: Craig Robinson

DFC Supporters Club MOM: HOME: Steve Jagielka AWAY: Dale Roberts.

Attendance: 372

MATCH RATING: THREE STARS