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

FARSLEY CELTIC 1– 2 DROYLSDEN

BLUE SQUARE PREMIER – Tuesday 8 April 2008

Report by Gary Owen

Droylsden's first away victory of the season, coupled with other results, meant that they staved off confirmed relegation, at least for the time being. However, given some of the reprieves of recent years, it is important that The Bloods finish as high as they can, and this result enabled them to lift themselves from bottom spot.

Droylsden went on the attack from the first whistle, with Ashley Burbeary collected a pass from Kevin Lynch and cutting inside to shoot straight at Curtis Aspden.

On 12 minutes, Jamie McGuire won a corner from the otherwise colossal George Santos, who was trying to run the ball out of play. From Sean Newton's free kick, Lynch rose highest to head home.

The lead lasted only four minutes though, as Karl Munroe allowed a high ball to go over his head, expecting to see the offside flag raised against Damian Reeves. The flag was not forthcoming, allowing Reeves time to pick his spot and give Paul Phillips no chance.

David McNiven and Roy Stamer saw efforts go just off target for the hosts, before Phillips had to save from McNiven as Farsley finally began to get into the game.

Droylsden had two good chances to restore the lead before the break. Firstly, Burbeary ran at Celtic and found Chris Denham on the right wing. His cross was headed just wide by Terry Fearns. Then McGuire was presented with a good chance just inside the box, but he could only shoot tamely at Aspden.

After the turn-around, Phillips had to tip over a drive by Stamer, but at the other end a Fearns shot lacked power and an effort by Burbeary stung Aspden's palms.

On the hour mark, Aspden hled onto a shot by Levi Mackin after good approach play by Burbeary and Denham, before Reeves got away from Lee Roche and Munroe, but Steve Halford came to the rescue.

A Droylsden corner then fell to Denham on the edge of the box, and his shot took a wicked deflection to fly just wide of the upright with Aspden rooted.

James Knowles then shot wide when under pressure for the Celts, before Robbie Talbot's shot from an angle whizzed inches past the far upright.

With time running out, Fearns fed Talbot whose low cut back fell to Burbeary. He took a touch before curling an effort just wide of the mark from 20 yards.

However, the winner came with just four minutes of the regulation 90 remaining, when Ged Murphy won a free kick just outside the area on the left flank. Fearns got his head to the ball at the near post to steer it past Aspden to the delight of the travelling support.

Farsley pressed in the closing stages, but shots were blocked by good defending, and the best chance fell to Lee Tuck in the final minute of added time, but he headed Rory Prendergast's free kick over when unmarked in a central position.

TEAMS:

FARSLEY CELTIC

Aspden, Downes, Jackson (Serrant, 41' (Heath, 87')), McNiven S., Santos, Bambrook, Knowles, Prendergast, Stamer (Tuck, 65'), McNiven D., Reeves.

Subs. not used Torpey.

DROYLSDEN

Phillips, Roche, Newton, Munroe, Halford, Lynch (Murphy, 76'), McGuire (Talbot, 69'), Mackin, Burbeary, Denham, Fearns (Strong, 90+2').

Subs. not used Dugdale, Ellis.

ATTENDANCE: 480

REFEREE: Mr. R. J. West (East Yorkshire)