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

WEYMOUTH 2 – 1 DROYLSDEN

BLUE SQUARE PREMIER – Tuesday 15 April 2008

Report by Gary Owen

This game demonstrated why both of these teams are struggling at the wrong end of the Blue Square Premier table, with both sides incapable of making the opposition goalkeeper work hard enough over the 90 minutes.

Early chances were created at both ends, with Terry Fearns having Stephen Henderson back-peddling to tip over, and then Stuart Beavon saw a shot blocked by Steve Halford after Karl Munroe had gifted possession to the Terras.

Dale Johnson and Sean Newton both had efforts fly wide of the mark, before the hosts took the lead when Droylsden failed to fully clear a corner by Simon Wetherstone. Beavon was allowed to turn in the box to shoot past Paul Phillips from 16 yards.

Danny Ellis, on for the injury-plagued Johnson, crossed low for Fearns from Newton's pass, but Trevor Challis blocked Chris Denham's shot.

Phillips saved at the second attempt from Mark Convery, but The Bloods struck level on 34 minutes through Jamie McGuire after Fearns had turned neatly in The Terras' box to create the chance for the Droylsden midfielder.

Just before the break, Kyle Critchell ran at the Droylsden defence, but his shot was deflected the wrong side of the post with Phillips rooted to the spot.

Weymouth began the second half by forcing a few corner kicks, and then Phillips had to tip over from Convery, before Fearns hooked a shot over the bar.

John Hollins' side then threatened once more through Matthew Bailey, but his powerful header smacked the upright, and when the ball was crossed back into the box, he could only head straight at Phillips.

However, just moments later the home side scored what proved to be the winner with 13 minutes remaining. Munroe allowed James Coutts to turn on the half-way line, but Phillips saved, only to see the loose ball fall kindly to Anton Robinson who headed into the unguarded net.

Convery was dismissed on 80 minutes for slapping Denham across the face, but The Bloods could not make their man advantage count in the closing minutes, with Colin Cryan's tame effort from the edge of the box all that they could show as the game came to a close, leaving The Bloods to face the longest journey home of this disappointing campaign.

TEAMS:

DROYLSDEN

Phillips, Cryan, Halford, Munroe, Strong (Dugdale, 78'), Newton (Williams, 85'), McGuire, Murphy, Denham, Fearns, Johnson (Ellis, 13').

Sub. not used Daly

WEYMOUTH

Henderson, Critchell, Challis, Blackburn, Doe, Coutts, Weatherstone, Convery, Robinson, Beavon, Bailey (Douglas, 88')

Subs. not used Stewart, Crittenden, Anzite, Roberts

ATTENDANCE: 1,102

REFEREE: Mr. David Phillips (West Sussex)