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

DROYLSDEN 3 – 0 HINCKLEY UNITED

Blue Square North – Thursday 26 March 2009

Report by Gary Owen

The Bloods avenged their 1-0 reverse in Leicestershire earlier this month with a pulsating second half display which left their visitors at times chasing shadows, resulting in a post-match dressing-down from Kinnter's boss Dean Thomas on the pitch.

The first half, however, was a very dull affair, although Droylsden could have taken the lead as early as the third minute, when Tony Gray cut inside from Jody Banim's pass, but he could only shoot straight at Chris MacKenzie.

A poor touch from Jamie McGuire presented Adam Webster with a chance, but he too could only shoot straight at Craig Mawson in Droylsden's goal.

China Dozie then went close for The Knitters from Alex Taylor's low cross, and Andy Gooding was unlucky to see his free kick go just wide for the visitors.

Jamie McGuire tried his luck from 30 yards as the ball sat-up nicely, but it was easy for MacKenzie before Alex Brown tried an angled effort that wnet wide.

On the stroke of half-time, Mawson had to tip over a Connor Franklin free-kick, which was bound for the top ocorner.

In the opening minute of the second half, though, Droylsden took the lead that they never relinquished when Gray put Jake Speight through, who slotted under Mackenzie to open his Bloods' account.

Hinckley fought back through Webster, but his dipping volley flew over, although Mawson had it covered.

MacKenzie was soon back in action to save a Sean Newton free kick at his near post, and Gray should have doubled The Bloods' lead from Newton's cross, but he headed wide from an unmarked central position.

Gray again threatened after he had robbed Neil Cartwright, and MacKenzie saved from Banim's follow-up.

Droylsden made it 2-0 on 59 minutes, when Steve Halford rose to head home Steve Beck's corner kick.

Webster then headed over from Pollard's cross, before Alex Brown's dipping effort was always going over.

Speight notched his brace and Droylsden's third with a super 25 yard thunderbolt, and just moments later he missed a great chance for his hat-trick when he could only head straight at MacKenzie from Rory Patterson's great cross.

Mawson tipped over a good effort from Gooding, before two late chances for Banim failed to add any gloss to the scoreline.

Richard Lavery and Dominic Roma also had late chances for the visitors, but it would have been mere consolation for a well-beaten side.

TEAMS:

Droylsden

Mawson, Brownhill, Newton, Halford, Ruffer, Beck (Pickford, 74'), Brown, McGuire, Gray (Patterson, 58'), Speight, Banim.

Unused Subs: Byron, Roche, Lamb.

Hinckley United

MacKenzie, Roma, Franklin, Lavery, McIlwain, Cartwright, Taylor, Gooding, Webster, Dozie (Pollard, 65'), Lloyd.

Unused Subs.: Smith, Stewart, Storer.

Referee: Mr. M. Duncan (Warrington, Cheshire)

ATTENDANCE: 270