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

DROYLSDEN 0 – 2 BURTON ALBION

BLUE SQUARE PREMIER - Tuesday 25 September 2007

Report by Gary Owen

The Brewers inflicted another defeat on Dave Pace's men to extended Droylsden's run of successive losses to nine, although for 71 minutes the hosts contained their high flying visitors, but without posing a serious threat themselves.

Dave Pace rang the changes following the disappointment of Saturday's loss to near rivals Altrincham by dropping Paul Phillips to the bench, and neither Daniel Warner nor Gareth Morris figured in the squad. There were recalls, however, for both Steve Daly and Jamie McGuire following the completion of their three match suspensions. Also drafted in were Liam Murray and Phil Senior, with Gavin Salmon on the bench.

The first half was rather berift of chances, only two finding the target, but Senior was equal to both. At the other end, veteran ‘keeper Kevin Poole was a virtual spectator.

Keith Gilroy caused problems down the right flank for Droylsden, and it was his shot after just four minutes that stung Phil Senior's palms.

Steve Daly managed to get his head to Jamie Tandy's cross, but it was well off the mark, before John McGrath forced Senior into another save from the edge of the box.

Immeditely after the break, Liam Murray headed a corner kick wide of the mark for Droylsden, before Robin Gibson misjudged the flight of the ball, allowing Gilroy a clean run at goal, but his curled effort was well off target.

McGrath then volleyed over for the Brewers when well placed just outside the box, but on the hour mark Droylsden recorded their first shot on target, when Chris Denham played-in Steve Daly, but Poole was equal to his angled drive.

Daryl Clare then fired a free kick a couple of yards high from a central position, but the telling moment of the game arrived on 70 minutes. Dave Pace exchanged Jody Banim for Dale Stephens, perhaps with a view to ensuring at least one point from the game by shoring-up the midfield..

However, within seconds of his introduction, Stephens' first contribution was a lunge at Aaron Webster (for which he was cautioned), and from the resultant free kick, Mark Greaves lost his marker at the far post to nod home.

With Burton in front and one of the Bloods' most creative players taking an early shower, it was difficult to see how Droylsden could get back into the game.

That was made even more apparent just six minutes later when visiting substitute Shaun Harrad exchanged passes with Webster on the edge of the box, before turning to curl a beautiful effort into the top corner.

Late on, Senior made a fine double save from Ryan Taylor, and McGuire's free kick from distance at the other end was easy for Poole. Denham almost connected with a Robbie Talbot cross in added time, but the game was already beyond Droylsden by that stage.

And so on the back of nine successive defeats, who's next up? – Torquay United away and Oxford United at home in front of the watching nation !!

As they say, things can only get better!

TEAMS

DROYLSDEN (4-4-2): Senior, Gibson, Murray, Cryan, Halford, Lynch (Murphy, 65), McGuire, Tandy (Talbot, 78), Banim (Stephens, 70), Daly, Denham.

Subs. not used: Salmon, Phillips

BURTON ALBION (4-4-2): Poole, Brayford, Webster, Greaves, Stride, McGrath, Farrell (Holmes, 82), Gooding, Clare (Harrad, 75), Taylor, Gilroy (Goodfellow, 79).

Subs. not used: Edwards, Aiston

REFREE: Mr. M. Matadar (Blackburn, Lancashire)

ATTENDANCE: 665