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

DARLINGTON 0 – 0 DROYLSDEN

FA Cup First Round – Saturday 8 November 2008

Report by Gary Owen

Bloods' boss Dave Pace was delighted with his team's performance to see his side in the hat for the second round draw.

"We battled well, but there's more football to come from us, but it's still going to be very difficult. Actually, the lads are thrilled but also a little disappointed they didn't do better!"

On his game plan he said "we came here and played 4-3-3. Not many teams do that – we were brave. We didn't want to come and put ten men behind the ball. OK, we didn't register many shots on goal, but that was to be expected."

Only one team has managed to shut-out the Quakers this season, and no-one has yet achieved such at the Darlington Arena. Hence, this result ranks as a tremendous achievement for The Bloods.

Droylsden keeper Craig Mawson was called into action in the opening minute, as he palmed an effort from Gregg Blundell around the post, before saving a volley from Ryan Valentine.

A Billy Clarke effort was then blocked on the line as the visitors started with their backs to the wall.

Mawson then suffered an injury, which threw 19 year old Kyle Clancy into the fray, but he remained largely un-tested for the remainder of the half.

After the break Darlington could have taken the lead through Adam Griffin, with the ball bobbling, causing the winger to shoot wide.

Jamie McGuire's shot was then off target for The Bloods, before Richie Foran volleyed over from the edge of the box for the hosts.

Foran was then denied by a fine save from Clancy low to his right, with the home fans thinking that the substitute's header had finally broken the deadlock.

Droylsden were then presented with a great chance on 66 minutes, but Matthew Tipton volleyed over from 8 yards out following a Droylsden corner kick.

Clancy held on to two late efforts from Neil Austin, before a Droylsden clearance cannoned goalwards off Jason Kennedy to loop over Clancy, but also over the bar in what would have been a cruel blow for the Bloods.

On Clancy's performance, Dave Pace added "he was shaking before he went on, but I just told him to do his best, and he pulled off a great save for us in the second half."

Saltergate, the home of Chesterfield, awaits the winners of the replay, which will be held at the Butcher's Arms next Tuesday (18th) in what promises to be an exciting night.

In looking forward to the replay, Dave Pace explained "we're still in for a massive test – it's going to be very difficult indeed, but if we can play our football we might just get a result. 2000 fans in our place will sound very different from 2000 in here. We have just got to get at them and get amongst them, otherwise their quality will show through."

TEAMS:

Darlington

Brown S., Austin, Foster, Miller, Kennedy, Blundell, Purdie, Valentine, Griffin (Gray, 85'), Hulbert (Ravenhill, 67'), Clarke (Foran, 48')

Unused Subs: White, Kazimierczak, Poole, Ryan.

Droylsden

Mawson (Clancy, 19'), Brownhill, Newton, Byron, Cryan, Sorvel, McGuire, Pickford (Brown A., 67'), Lamb, Tipton, Townson (Prince, 75').

Unused Subs: Rouse, Dugdale, Roche, Burbeary.

Referee: Mr. M.Haywood

ATTENDANCE: 2,479