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

DROYLSDEN 0 - 2 HALIFAX TOWN

FA CUP 2nd Qual Rd - Saturday 26th September 2009

Report by William Patterson

The Bloods made an early exit from the FA Cup, being outplayed by an energetic and enthusiastic Halifax side which may well progress further. Both goals came from crossed balls, and both were finished from within the six-yard box, which may be a problem that needs to be addressed for future games.

As could be expected from a match between two sides who are top of their respective leagues, this was a keenly contested game.

Droylsden had enough chances early in the game, but they failed to take the initiative, being denied on many occasions by an excellent Jonathan Hedge in goal for Halifax. His first crucial save was five minutes into the game when he did well to get one hand to a low shot from Simon Yeo, and this was to be the first of many instances in which the Droylsden front men were to be frustrated.

Halifax, pushing forward in a swiftly flowing game, took the lead after they forced a corner in the 22nd minute. The melee in the goalmouth saw Craig Mawson fail to hold the ball, which fell to Steve Payne who gratefully drove it into the roof of the net.

Droylsden countered with Steve Halford heading narrowly wide from a corner, but they were lucky to escape shortly after when Scott Phelan, unmarked in space, picked up a pass and rattled the crossbar from distance.

The Bloods did their best to get on level terms, and they came agonisingly close to doing so when Yeo, 25 yards out, spotted Hedge off his line and lofted a shot above him, only to see the ball hit the left hand post. From here on, it became clear that this was simply not going to be Droylsden's day.

Predictably, the Bloods came out after the break with all guns blazing, and Halford forced yet another good stop from Hedge, this time with his foot.

Droylsden actually had the ball in the net on 75 minutes but it was disallowed for a foul on the keeper.

Halifax defended their lead by playing James Dean as a lone front man, thereby packing the midfield and stopping Droylsden creating.

This policy paid off in the 89th minute when, with Droylsden pushing for an equaliser, Halifax broke on the left and Dean met a cross firmly with his head to put the game beyond Droylsden's reach.

Dave Pace now has the task of restoring morale within his squad in advance of a difficult ongoing league campaign, beginning with a trip to Telford on Saturday.

Droylsden:

Mawson, Roche, Brownhill, Byron, Halford (capt.), Sorvel (Meechan 81), Beck, A.Brown (Pickford 75), Gray, Yeo (P.Brown 56), Whalley.

Subs not used: Cryan, Howarth, Woodyatt, Williams.

FC Halifax town:

Hedge, Hardy, Codman, Payne, Crossley (capt.), Peers (Harrison 75), Gray, Phelan, Dean, Baker, Marshall.

Subs not used: Senior, Hotte, Reilly.

Referee: G.P.Johnson.