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

DROYLSDEN 5 – 0 HARROGATE TOWN

Blue Square North - Monday 7th September 2009

Report by Dave Leach

Droylsden picked up exactly where they had left off the previous Saturday with yet another stunning footballing master class that had their Yorkshire visitors simply chasing shadows.

Once again, the Bloods ran riot and looked like scoring on every single occasion they ventured forward against an extremely negative Harrogate side, who simply set out to defend, determined not to be embarrassed.

And although it was an outstanding team performance, and perhaps it is unfair to single out individuals, it was another magnificent display from Tony Gray, who was at the heart of nearly everything Droylsden produced, who shone brightest on a night of glittering performances.

Gray was involved in the first chances of any note after ten minutes when he linked up with the equally impressive Shaun Whalley to cut inside his defender and shoot at goal, only to have his shot blocked by ex-Blood Simon Sturdy. A minute later, he got another shot off but this time it was straight at the keeper.

At this point, Gray and Whalley were tearing the visitor's defence to shreds and both had efforts blocked or saved as Harrogate tried to stem the tide

Although Town were defending with a steely resolve, the Bloods were battering down the door and it was no surprise when they eventually took the lead in the 38th minute when Liam Brownhill nodded the ball home after Whalley's whipped cross had deflected into his path off a defender.

Stephen Hernandez then had to be alert to parry a Gray effort onto the post moments later, but shortly after, Droylsden deservedly increased their lead when Gray spun away from his marker and rode a late tackle to slide the ball across the face of goal where Whalley arrived to slam it under Hernandez' body.

In the second half, Town showed a little more ambition and Mawson saved well from Maloney after he had ran on to a through ball from Ryan. However, it was Droylsden who scored again on 65 minutes with a fine goal by the in-form Gray. He collected the ball inside his own area and jinked past Bloomer before advancing forward and spraying the ball out to Paul Brown on the right wing. He was then on hand in the six yard box to meet Brown's in-swinging cross and nod the ball past the outstretched Hernandez.

Minutes later Whalley almost added another but unfortunately after outstripping the Town defence his 20-yard piledriver came crashing back off the crossbar. But he was not to be denied and on 70 minutes he got his reward when Gray slid a ball through 2 defenders and he ran on to face the keeper and slotted the ball home under his body for the second time in the game.

Even at four goals to the good, the Bloods were determined to add to their tally and this they did in the final minute of the match, when Alex Meechan ran through to meet an incisive through ball from Gray, and he whipped in his shot into the far corner of the net from 18 yards out.

This goal set the seal on an exemplary performance and if they keep playing football of this calibre, not many teams are going to be able to live with them. It sets the scene nicely for the first big derby of the season this coming Saturday, when Droylsden venture up to Bower Fold hoping to continue their fine run.

Teams:

Droyslden:

Mawson, Roche, Brownhill, Byron, Halford, Sorvel (Williams 82), Beck, Lloyd, Gray, Yeo (Brown, 59), Whalley (Meechan, 72)

Subs not used: Cryan, Woodyatt

Harrogate Town:

Hernandez, Harrison, Sturdy, Wood (Ryan 45), Weaver, Bloomer, Durham, McTiernan, Maloney, Thomas (Emms 77), Scott (Burrell 68)

Subs not used: Lamb, Broadbent

REFEREE: Mr A Hutchinson (Great Sutton)

ATTENDANCE: 376

GOALS:

Droylsden: Liam Brownhill 38 Shaun Whalley 44, 72 Tony Gray 65 Alex Meechan 90