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

KING'S LYNN 2 – 2 DROYLSDEN

Blue Square North – Saturday 16 August 2008

Report by Gary Owen

Droylsden managed to snatch a draw from the jaws of victory at The Walks in this inaugural meeting between these two sides, with the result ultimately decided by errors from both ‘keepers.

A last minute fumble by Jon Kennedy gifted an undeserved point to the Norfolk side after Droylsden had bossed matters for most of the afternoon. This was after Scott Howie had failed to command his area and collect a high ball, allowing Carl Lamb to put the visitors ahead late on.

Ex-league stalwart Julian Joachim had the first meaningful effort for Lynn, but he shot high and wide under pressure from Steve Halford.

Carl Lamb and Ashley Burbeary then had unsuccessful efforts for The Bloods before Michael Frew shot straight at Kennedy from the edge of the box.

King's Lynn took the lead on 33 minutes, when Joachim left Halford on his heels on the left flank to pick-out Jack Defty in a central position, who could not miss.

To be fair, the home side should have doubled their lead just after the break, but David Bridgwater should have done better with a free header, and then Halford rescued Mike Byron when he misjudged the flight of the ball allowing Defty in to see the white of Kennedy's eyes.

After the hour mark, Carl Lamb broke away in the inside right channel, but elected to shoot with Burbeary well placed, and he could only find the side netting.

Droylsden struck level on 70 minutes when on-loan Aaron Burns chased down a clearance and the ball stood-up nicely for Kevin Townson, who kept his cool to head over the stranded Scott Howie.

Seven minutes later, a high ball into the box looked favourite for Howie to gather, but Lamb had different ideas, and leapt ahead of the home custodian to head over his grasp and into the goal.

With just four minutes remaining, Alex Brown tried to chip Howie when perhaps a straightforward strike may have reaped better results. The ball fell to Townson, who seemed to be out muscled at the far post by a Lynn defender, with The Bloods striker claiming a penalty.

Nevertheless, Droylsden looked good value for the three points, only for Kennedy to fail to hold on to a far post header, gifting Danny Bloomfield with an unexpected equaliser with minutes remaining.

Surely, on the showings at Gateshead and King's Lynn, Droylsden's first league victory is no far away – perhaps at home to near neighbours Hyde United on Saturday?

TEAMS:

King's Lynn

Howie, Weaver (Melton, 63'), Chapman, Peters, Crane, Camm, Frew, Sedgemore, Defty J. (Bloomfield, 63'), Joachim, Francis (Bridgwater, 46'). Unused Subs: Defty C., Murray

Droylsden

Kennedy, Roche, Newton, Byron, Halford, Sorvel, Burbeary (Brown, 64'), McGuire, Gedman (Townson, 57'), Lamb, Burns (Brownhill, 84') Unused Subs: Meadowcroft, Clancy

Referee: Mr. A. J. Newbold (Loughborough, Leicestershire)

ATTENDANCE: 1035