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

DROYLSDEN 3 – 4 YORK CITY

BLUE SQUARE PREMIER – TUESDAY 1ST JANUARY 2008

Report by Gary Owen

This was the second leg of the Festive double-header, and once again the Bloods surrendered an early lead to be defeated by the odd goal.

This match will be remembered, though, by all those who saw it for the events of the final ten minutes or so, during which the lead exchanged hands twice, leaving the York fans delirious and the Bloods' faithful rather exhausted!

After the very encouraging display at Forest Green, many believed this was a winnable game for Droylsden, and so it seemed with a 2-0 half-time lead, albeit against the run of play in terms of shots on target.

Still, it's about putting your chances away, and how many times has this not been the case for the Bloods this season, so for once two goals from two shots on target was a welcome return. The first came on 28 minutes, when the ball sat up nicely for Jody Banim just outside the box, and his trademark volley flew past Tom Evans for the first.

The second fell to transfer-listed Terry Fearns, who must have improved his chances of being retained by robbing York skipper Darren Kelly of the ball just inside his own half, galloping on for 30 yards with the York defenders in his wake, and then drawing Evans before slotting home.

York had chances of their own during the half, but mostly were from distance, including Martyn Woolford's 23 yard strike, which skimmed the bar, and Paul Phillips – making his 400th start in a Bloods' shirt – dealt comfortbaly with the rest.

As expected, the Minstermen kept up the pressure after the break, and Woolford again struck the frame of the goal on 61 minutes after a four-man passing move.

York reduced the arrears on 70 minutes when a Ben Purkiss cross was bundled home from a crowd of players by Emmanuel Panther.

A moment later, a strong run by Panther almost lead to the equaliser, but his shot struck the apex of bar and post.

York forced a series of corners, and Kelly almost atoned for his earlier error, but his header struck the bar, with the Droylsden goal beginning to lead a charmed life.

Phillips showed why he is one of the best in one-on-one situations by denying Richard Brodie on 80 minutes, but just a minute later the inevitable equaliser came as Craig Farrell converted from close range after collecting Brodie's cross.

At that stage, York boss Colin Walker admitted that he would have been happy with a point, but with two minutes of the regulation 90 remaining, Banim's goal-bound effort from outside the box took a slight deflection off a York defender, and the ball curled into the top corner, leaving Evans helpless.

Many, including the York manager, believed that to be the winner.

However, shortly after the fourth official flashed up that there would be a minimum of three additional minutes, York struck level once more through Brodie.

With virtually the last kick of the match, York stole all three points as Phillips saved a shot from the edge of the box, but before he could re-collect the loose ball, Brodie stuck out a toe to prod home in front of the 500+ travelling support.

As has been the case many times this season, fitness was no doubt a major factor in the outcome of this match, with the full-time players being able to finish much the stronger.

With the January sales now underway, no doubt Dave Pace will be doing his level best to snap up some real quality bargains, as each game becomes more and more important to win before the games themselves start to run out.

TEAMS:

DROYLSDEN Phillips, Cryan, Murray, Halford, Dugdale, Burbeary, McGuire, Tandy (Murphy, 45'), Denham (Warner, 53'), Banim, Fearns (Salmon, 76').

Subs not used: Morris, Talbot

YORK CITY Evans, Lloyd (Wroe 53'), Kelly, McGurk, Purkiss, Elliott (Brayson, 62'), Parslow, Panther, Farrell, Woolford, Sodje (Brodie, 51')

Subs not used: Craddock, Mimms.

Referee: Mr. J. Waugh (Sheffield, South Yorkshire)

Attendance: 1,015