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

DROYLSDEN 2 – 1 BRADFORD (PARK AVENUE)

F. A. Cup 2nd Qualifying Round – Saturday 27 September 2008

Report by Gary Owen

Former Blood Dave Cameron brought his UniBond Premier Division side over the hills, but an erratic display from the man in the middle assisted the Blue Square North team to progress, leaving their Yorkshire visitors somewhat frustrated following their efforts in this gripping cup tie.

With no fewer than five former Droylsden players in Avenue's squad, this was something like an old boys' reunion. However, two crucial moments in the second half gave a helping hand to The Bloods, with Avenue scratching their heads in disbelief.

With the home side leading 1-0 at the break, Avenue stormed out of the blocks at half-time and Stuart Rudd, who had only been on the pitch for two minutes, converted from a low right wing cross to level the tie.

That was after Colin Cryan had given the home side the lead on 19 minutes. A far post corner was headed back across goal by Kevin Townson. Carl Lamb nodded the ball back into the centre for Cryan to score with a diving header.

Tom Baker sneaked in behind the Droylsden defence, but Craig Mawson saved at his feet. The ball broke loose, though and Baker turned the ball goalwards, but Cryan was on hand to head clear.

It was just after the hour mark that the officials gave the first of two crucial decisions which helped decide the fate of this tie. Mike Byron appeared to collide with Mawson, and with Chris Hall about the benefit with the empty goal at his mercy, the referee's assistant flagged for a Droylsden free kick, with the referee even booking the disbelieving ex-Celtic striker.

Less than ten minutes later came the second strange decision. Townson ran into the Avenue area under pressure from Mark Haran, and Jon Worsnop came out to block. Townson got a foot to the ball for what seemed like a goal-kick, with Townson falling into the committed Worsnop, but Mr. Etchells pointed to the spot.

Sean Newton beat Worsnop with power, who had guessed the right way, to restore Droylsden's lead.

With time running out, Bradford tried to find an elusive equaliser, and thought they had an opportunity to do so when Steve Pickford pushed Stuart Rudd in the back in the Droylsden box, but Mr. Etchells waved away their appeals.

Hence, it was Droylsden who went into the hat for Monday's draw, with the next round scheduled for Saturday week, 11 October.

TEAMS:

Droylsden

Mawson, Brownhill, Newton, Byron (Dugdale, 72'), Cryan, Sorvel, Pickford, McGuire (Brown, 63'), Lamb, Townson (Rouse, 81'), Burbeary

Unused Subs: Roche, Tandy, Clancy, Halford.

Bradford (Park Avenue)

Worsnop, Hockenhull, Hotte, Ruffer, Haran, Murphy, Bettney, Connors (Fisher, 64), Hall C., Baker (Rudd, 46'), Stamer (Graves, 46').

Unused Subs: Mossley, Gibson, Hall N., Holdroyd.

Referee: Mr. G. Etchells (Crewe, Cheshire)

ATTENDANCE: 425