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

HARROGATE RAILWAY ATHLETIC 2 - 0 DROYLSDEN

F. A. Cup 1st ROUND – Saturday 10 November 2007

Report by Gary Owen

Droylsden were unceremoniously dumped-out of this year's competition in humiliating style by Unibond Division One (North) mid-table outfit, Harrogate Railway Athletic, who lie some 55 places beneath The Bloods in non-league's pyramid.

However, when it comes to effort and a willingness to win, these things can overcome any other parameters, and the home side had such qualities in abundance.

It would be nice to say that the Butcher's Arms boys ran out of steam but that would imply that they had some fuel and fire in their bellies in the first place!

The season's frailties to date were there for all to see – lacklustre up front, and error-ridden in defence, and so Railway simply bided their time and struck when they got the chance.

Indeed, it was the hosts who created the game's first chance, when Gareth Morris had to head clear off his own line to prevent Rob Morgan's header from a corner kick from finding the top corner.

Home striker Adam Jones then got the better of Liam Murray, but could only find the side netting.

Droylsden thought they had broke the deadlock on 15 minutes, though, when Terry Fearns was bundled over in the box, but he regained his feet and the referee seemed to play an advantage, but the Bloods' striker then clearly used a hand to assist before shooting home, and so the Halesowen official awarded a free kick to the home side.

Just after the half hour mark, Chris Denham had Jon McLaughlin at full stretch in the Railway goal, and McLaughlin again came to his side's rescue after a Morris free kick had been flicked-on in the box, before saving another effort by Fearns.

In first half added time, Jones missed a great oppotunity for Railway when he blazed wide with time and space from an unmarked central position.

Ten minutes after the re-start, The Bloods were denied what looked to be a clear penalty, but Mr. Hendley booked Denham for diving – perhaps a legacy of the forward's first half display, much of which was spent uneccessarily on the floor.

Morris then fired a free kick straight at McLaughlin, before Murray sold Paul Phillips short with a back pass, but the Bloods' custodian came to his defender's rescue before Jones could pounce.

Jones was then inches away from connecting with a Ryan Haigh cross at the far post with Phillips beaten, but the home side took the lead on 64 minutes following a free kick. Another short pass in the Bloods' defence was dealt with by Phillips despite claims of handling outside the area, but a free kick ensued when Scott Ryan was fouled. He took the free kick himself, which took a couple of ricochets, before falling at the feet of Byron Littlefair, who couldn't believe his luck and kept his cool to beat Phillips.

Just five minutes later, though, The Bloods' fate was sealed when Garry Burke gifted possession to Nick Smith, who ran at the Droylsden defence to cross for Haigh to convert at the far post.

Droylsden threw everything at their hosts, with Steve Daly shooting over the apex of bar and post. Lee Roche then shot over from the edge of the box, and Daly was too far away from connecting with a Denham cross at the far post. Subsitiute Andy Smith also spurned two good chances.

Morris wasted a good opportunity from a free kick, and Fearns shot wide, but in the end Railway hung-on for a deserved victory.

Dave Pace was very despondent afterwards. "We didn't battle enough, but I thought we should have had a penalty. Once they got the goal, their heads went up. We had 5 players out today, but this squad should have been good enough. Before I pick them up, I need to pick myself up."

Hence, the huge cheer that greeted the draw in the clubhouse at Corby a few weeks ago now sounds very hollow after all. With a place on a bigger stage there for the taking, and backed by a sizeable travelling support, the Bloods fluffed their lines – big time!

Of additional concern was the bickering between some of the travelling support – obviously frustrated by the display they had been enduring, but such behaviour ultimately benefits no-one.

TEAMS

HARROGATE RA: McLaughlin, Haigh, Lowe, Morgan, Riley, Conway, Littlefair, Ryan S. (Ryan L., 84), Thirkill, Jones, Smith.

Subs. not used: Turner, Hillier, Blair, Williams.

DROYLSDEN: Phillips, Roche, Murray, Cryan (Talbot, 79), Burke, Morris, Murphy (Daly, 66), Lynch (Smith, 75), McGuire, Fearns, Denham.

Subs. not used: Warner, Senior (G/K).

REFREE: Mr. Andy Hendley (Halesowen, West Midlands)

ATTENDANCE: 884