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

DROYLSDEN 1 – 0 AFC TELFORD UNITED

Blue Square North – Saturday 30 August 2008

Report by Gary Owen

Neil Prince's strike just after the break was the difference between the two sides in this match which balanced on a knife edge throughout.

Whilst both teams enjoyed some good possession, it was the hosts who created – and wasted – the better chances, with the Bucks being restricted to mostly half chances by the well marshalled Bloods' defence.

Kevin Townson could have settled the home side's nerves with fourteen minutes left, but he amazingly pulled his shot wide of the mark with only Ryan Young to beat.

Prince and Ashley Burbeary both had early chances for the hosts, as did Gary Fitzpatrick for Telford, but all were off target.

Prince again threatened the Bucks' goal, but pulled his effort wide from a tight angle.

As the first half drew to a close, Carl Lamb went through for Droylsden with only Young to beat, but despite his claims for a penalty for a foul by the Telford ‘keeper, Townson failed to convert the loose ball.

Former Bloods Steve Jagielka and Terry Fearns combined for the latter to hook his shot just over the bar from 10 yards, in what provide to be probably Telford's best chance of the match.

Then came Prince's winner, collecting a high ball forward from Jamie McGuire, he cut inside a defender before beating Young on his near post with a low drive from 20 yards.

Ashley Burbeary then shot straight at Young, and Carl Rodgers did likewise at Craig Mawson at the other end.

Townson shot over for the home side, before Andy Brown saw two efforts blocked for the Bucks.

Townson's poor miss gave hope to Telford, who rallied at the end, but Droylsden held firm, with Mawson out quickly to deny Jarred Stevens and two Fearns headers failed to test Mawson, leaving the Bucks pointless for the first time this season, whilst maintaining Droylsden's unbeaten start.

TEAMS:

Droylsden

Mawson, Brownhill (Coo78'), Newton, Byron, Cryan (Meadowcroft, 69'), Sorvel, Burbeary, McGuire, Lamb, Prince (Ellis, 78'), Townson.

Unused Subs: Roche, Burns.

AFC Telford United

Young, Naylor, Vaughan (Stevens, 63'), Cowan, Whitehead, Rodgers, Adams, Fitzpatrick (Vermiglio, 63'), Fearns, Brown, Jagielka (Moore, 69').

Unused Subs: Nwadike, Blakeman.

Referee: Mr. J. Whiteley (Leeds)

STAR MAN: Mike Byron (Droylsden)

ATTENDANCE: 544

ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: 3/5

Scorer: Droylsden – Prince (48')

H/T SCORE: Droylsden 0 – 0 AFC Telford United