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

DROYLSDEN 1 – 1 WORKINGTON

Blue Square North – Monday 1 September 2008

Report by Gary Owen

The Bloods came from behind for the sixth time in seven outings so far this term, illustrating a valuable resilience, but their present inability to turn dominance into goals remains of concern.

This game was a typical example of such traits, where the Bloods fell behind to an early goal, and then bossed matters for the remaining 88 minutes, securing an equaliser with 6 minutes to go.

Things could have been easier for themselves, though, had the normally reliable Neil Prince not missed a penalty half way through the first half, although he did later atone for this by netting the leveller.

The opening goal came within the first two minutes, when a speculative volley from Andy Hardman dipped and struck the far post, with the ball landing at the feet of Jonny Wright who found the net.

Moments later, the same man shot straight at Craig Mawson after being freed by Hardman, but at the other end Adam Collin was also called into action to save from Sean Newton and Colin Cryan. In between those efforts came Prince's spot kick misery, as his effort to Collin's right was at a comfortable height for the ‘keeper who had guessed the correct way. This was after some neat play by Prince and Newton leading to a foul in the box on Paul Gedman by Lee Andrews.

Dan Robinson briefly threatened for the Cumbrians, but Neil Sorvel cleared the danger, and on the stroke of half-time, a first time effort at the far post from Prince flew just wide.

Aaron Burns, who had had a poor first half, recorded a number of efforts on goal after the break, but his first two were saved by Collin and he also saw a header go just wide at the far post when under pressure.

In between these, Anthony Wright saw a shot deflected for a corner as Workington looked to make use of the counter-attack, and then Kevin Townson's attempted lob from 20 yards landed on top of the goal or the hosts.

Townson again forced Collin into a one-handed tip over from his strike, before Newton, who once again performed well, found Prince with an immaculate 60 yard cross-field pass. The Bloods' forward brought the ball down, drew Collin, and with Workington defenders trying to protect their goal, he kept his cool to shoot into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

Newton blocked a shot from Gareth Armison, and a shot by Newton himself cannoned off Burns to go wide as both sides had late chances to snatch victory.

Nevertheless, given Saturday's victorious performance against last season's runners-up in AFC Telford United, this seems like two points dropped and was a missed opportunity to get into the top three. However, an undefeated run from the opening seven fixtures represents a sound start for what is almost an entirely new squad at the Butcher's Arms this season.

TEAMS:

Droylsden

Mawson, Brownhill (Allen, 73'), Newton, Byron, Cryan, Halford, Sorvel, Burbeary, Brown (Townson, 73'), Gedman (Lamb 61'), Prince, Burns.

Unused Subs: Meadwocroft, Coo.

Workington

Collin, Hewson, Rowntree, Kirkup, Andrews, Rbinson, Johnston, Vipond, Hardman (Armison, 75'), Wright J., Wright A. (McLuckie, 81')

Unused Subs: Anthony, Edmondson.

Referee: Mr. P. Bankes (Liverpool)

ATTENDANCE: 386