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

DROYLSDEN 0 – 0 BELPER TOWN

F. A. Cup 4th Qualifying Round – Saturday 25 October 2008

Report by Gary Owen

Belper Town belied their league ranking in this fully deserved draw at Blue Square North Droylsden.

Aside from a volley from Steve Pickford in the opening seconds which Paul Pettinger gathered-in, they dominated the opening half hour, although the best chance did fall to Droylsden's Steve Beck, but his shot was blocked on the line by Michael Harcourt after Pettinger had made a great double save from Carl Lamb and Kevin Townson.

Pettinger also saved well from Lamb has he was allowed space in the box to turn and shoot.

Just s Droylsden finished the half much stronger, Belper began the second like a house on fire. Anthony Wilson had Craig Mawson at full stretch, and from the corner kick Wilson's shot on the turn went wide.

Then a long range Lee Stevenson free kick stung Craig Mawson's palms before Danny Hudson pulled his shot a yard wide as Belper piled on the pressure.

Stevenson then volleyed straight at Mawson before a Hudson shot found the side netting.

Krystof Kotylo shot straight at Mawson and Richard Tracey pulled a shot wide as it continued to be mainly one-way traffic.

Late on, Liam Brownhill shot wide and then almost beat Pettinger with another shot, but the experienced ‘keeper just managed to prevent the ball from squirming under his hand, to ensure matters finished all square.

After this game, it will be The Bloods who will be most relieved to be in the hat for the first round draw, whereas Belper will now really fancy their chances of progressing further. Whilst Belper are clearly an impressive team, the question for The Bloods has to be can they possibly perform worse than their showing today?

With Sunday's draw providing a trip to Coca-Cola League Two high flyers Darlington, it's all to play for on Tuesday night!

TEAMS:

Droylsden

Mawson, Brownhill, Newton, Byron, Halford, Sorvel, Pickford, Beck (Brown, 79'), Lamb, Townson (Rouse, 70'), Burbeary (Tipton, 57')

Unused Subs: Roche, Cryan, Dugdale, Clancy.

Belper Town

Pettinger, Colliver, Barnard, Kotylo, Harcourt, Haigh, Hudson, Stevenson, Walker, Wilson (Tracey, 74'), Graves (Hobson, 60').

Unused Subs: Smith, Ghaichem, Pride, Carney

Referee: Mr. P. Bankes (Bootle, Merseyside)

ATTENDANCE: 557