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

HARROGATE TOWN 1 – 1 DROYLSDEN

Blue Square North – Saturday 18 April 2009

Report by Gary Owen

Droylsden's failure to secure all three points at Wetherby Road, combined with AFC Telford United's point at Southport means that The Bloods' play-off prospects are all but over – The Bucks must now lose both of their remaining games (including at home to already relegated Burscough), whilst Droylsden must win handsomely against both Stalybridge and Fleetwood.

The game began in disastrous fashion for The Bloods, when Craig Mawson seemed to have gathered in an effort from James Dean, but he spilled the ball enabling Nicky Gray to convert in the fourth minute. That was not before Liam Brownhill had struck a free kick straight at Jon Hedge, and Alex Brown had shot over.

However, Droylsden had to come from behind, but had most of the game to do so. They controlled much of the first half, playing down the notorious Harrogate slope, but had little to show for their efforts – with shots either going off target or finding Hedge in fine form.

Rory Patterson almost steered a Steve Beck free kick inside the near post, but Hedge was down quickly, before another effort from Brown sailed too high.

Patterson again went close on the half hour, but Hedge blocked and the ball spun away for a corner kick.

Jamie McGuire then got in on the act, but his angled volley was held by Hedge at the near post, and his second effort went over.

Leading scorer Tony Gray then almost levelled matters, but his effort went just wide after he had fashioned the chance for himself, and in first-half added time Patterson was again denied by Hedge.

After the break, matters were a little more even, with Mawson having to save from Richard Marshall before Dean beat the offside trap and then Carl Ruffer, but he could only find the side netting.

With 20 minutes remaining, Jake Speight chased a ball from Beck, and with the home choice man-of-the-match Ryan Toulson failing to clear, he lifted the ball over the stranded Hedge to set up a tense finish.

Town responded with the impressive Darren Dunning launching a looping volley, which Mawson saved low to his left, but at the other end Speight fired just wide from Gray's pass.

Dave Pace threw on Ian Fitzpatrick for midfielder Brown, knowing that nothing short of a victory would keep play-off hopes alive.

The attacking thrust almost paid-off when Patterson thought he had secured all three points for Droylsden on 83 minutes, but his shot came back off the post from Gray's cut-back.

Sean Newton went close with a 22 yard free kick, but The Bloods also had to be on their mettle as time ran out, with Steve Halford producing an excellent last ditch tackle to deny Jamie Smith as he almost burst clean through.

So, save for any last minute administrative technicalities, it looks like Blue Square North football for The Bloods once again next term.

TEAMS:

Harrogate Town

Hedge, Charnley, Hardy, Ingram, Toulson, Young, Gray N., Dunning, Smith, Dean, Marshall.

Unused Subs.: Ormsby, Hirst, Broadbent, Wiacek.

Droylsden

Mawson, Roche (Newton, 55'), Brownhill, Halford, Ruffer, Brown (Fitzpatrick, 78'), Beck, McGuire, Gray, Speight (Lamb, 89'), Patterson.

Unused Subs: Sorvel, Byron.

Referee: Mr. R. P. Newman (Barnsley, South Yorkshire)

ATTENDANCE: 362