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

CHESTERFIELD A – A DROYLSDEN

FA Cup Second Round – Saturday 29 November 2008
(Match Abandoned due to Fog)

Report by Gary Owen

Bloods' boss Dave Pace was left seething after seeing his side more than match their Coca Cola League Two opponents, and to take a deserved lead, only to see the elements force an abandonment due to fog at half time.

"It's scandalous to find yourself 1-0 up in the FA Cup and see the match called-off, when the conditions were no worse than they were at 3 o'clock."

"It's very disheartening – we've prepared well, and now I've got to pick the lads up and we've got to do it all again. The thing is, we played well and now they know a bit of what we're about. I said to the referee ‘give it 15 minutes and see how it goes' but he has chosen to call it now."

"In fact, I believe that the assessors made the decision, and it's not their place to do that" added Pace.

"If the roles were reversed, I'd be happy – in fact, if I were Lee (Richardson), I'd have a go on the lottery, tonight!"

For his part, Richardson thought the referee had made the right decision. "He shouldn't have really started the game – they should have made that decision at 3 o'clock. They must be frustrated, and would have fancied themselves at 1-0 up."

"I think we were awful" he added "mind you, I couldn't really see how bad we were!"

"The Droylsden fans at the other end didn't even know that they'd scored!" Droylsden should look forward to the next game and come and have another go, but the conditions played a part today."

The game itself saw neither ‘keeper tested, but it was the non-league side who started better, with the home fans frustrated at their team's lacking.

Steve Beck went close for the Bloods on 22 minutes, when he tried to con Trevor Carson at his near post, but his shot was two yards wide and the Chesterfield ‘keeper had it covered.

Droylsden took a deserved lead on 35 minutes when it looked like Neil Prince crossed for Carl Lamb to head home at the far post.

At that point, The Bloods' contingent were hoping for an improvement in the conditions, but the officials were concerned that they couldn't see the corners of the pitch, and with dropping temperatures and nightfall, it was only going to get worse.

So, Droylsden have it all to do again, but at least they will be in the hat for the crucial third round draw for the first time in their history, where they will travel to Championship side and former FA Cup and UEFA Cup winners, Ipswich Town – if they can overcome Chesterfield on Tuesday!

TEAMS:

Chesterfield

Carson, Gray, Austin, Page, Downes, Currie, Hansley, Winter, Lowry, Ward, Lester.

Unused Subs: Lee, Picken, Robertson, Hall, Boden, Algar, Teixeira

Droylsden

Mawson, Brownhill, Newton, Halford, Cryan, Brown, Beck, McGuire, Townson, Lamb, Prince.

Unused Subs: Townson, Dugdale, Sorvel, Rouse, Clamncy, Roche.

Referee: Mr. Steven Cook (Surrey)

ATTENDANCE: 3,633