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

DROYLSDEN 1 – 1 STAFFORD RANGERS

BLUE SQUARE PREMIER – Saturday 17 November 2007

Report by Gary Owen

This proverbial "six-pointer" ended-up with the spoils being shared – a result which really does neither side any great favours in the battle to get away from the foot of the table.

The first half was a rather cagey affair, with chances at a premium, the first of which fell to Chris Flynn for the visitors, but he headed Luke Potter's cross over the bar.

Terry Fearns was then presented with a great chance to open the scoring, but the ball arrived somewhat unexpectedly to the Bloods' striker at the far post from Chris Denham's low cross, and last season's top scorer failed to get a proper purchase, enabling Scott Loach to save.

Moments later Potter drilled a low ball across the face of the Droylsden goal, but no-one was able to provide the finishing touch and Daniel Warner cleared.

Fearns almost got away thanks to a Gareth Morris through ball, but Djoumin Sangare made a fine tackle, before Denham twisted and turned to shoot straight at Loach.

Jody Banim, returning from suspension, shot over from the edge of the box and the impressive Chris Humphrey ran at Warner, but Paul Phillips turned his shot away.

In the dying seconds of first half added time, Droylsden could only partially clear a Stafford corner and veteran David Oldfield delivered the ball back into the danger area, where Sangare was lurking at the back post to prod home.

The second half was a much more entertaining affair, with Droylsden immediately in search of the equaliser, but Banim's shot went straight into Loach's arms.

Humphrey again ran at Warner, but once again Phillips was equal to his shot.

Matters were levelled on 57 minutes when Denham beat two defenders before curling an effort beyond Loach's reach with the outside of his right boot from just inside the box.

Droylsden then put Rangers under much pressure and looked the likelier of the two teams to proceed to net the three points that both sides desperately craved. Banim shot over and Jamie McGuire and Steve Daly both saw shots blocked as the Bloods began raid after raid on the Rangers goal.

Stafford played well on the break, though, particularly through Humphrey, and on 71 minutes Phil Robinson's men thought they had regained the lead when Kevin Street picked his spot from 14 yards. The ball looked destined for the bottom corner, but Phillips made a truly world class save to turn the ball around the post.

With ten minutes remaining, Neil Grayson blocked Colin Cryan's goalbound volley from a Morris corner, and Banim cut inside Sangare only to see his shot smack the upright with Loach beaten.

Loach then saved from Cryan, but the final act fell to Stafford stalwart Neil Grayson, who screwed wide from a central position to leave the honours even.

This was a much improved performance following the FA Cup debacle, and new arrival Ashley Burbeary played his part in that after his midweek switch from Stalybridge, prompting calls for a place in the starting line-up against promotion hopefuls Forest Green Rovers at the Butcher's Arms on Saturday.

TEAMS

DROYLSDEN: Phillips, Roche, Warner, Cryan, Murray L., Morris, McGuire, Banim (Talbot, 84), Fearns (Burbeary, 55), Daly (Salmon, 74), Denham.

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

STAFFORD: Loach, Sutton, Potter, Murray F., Sangare, Humphrey, Mawene (Oldfield, 35), Flynn, Street, Grayson, McNiven (Smith, 67).

Subs. not used: Ingram, Hopkinson, Alcock (G/K).

REFREE: Mr. Dean Mohareb (Stockport)

ATTENDANCE: 612