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

PRE-SEASON ROUND-UP

2009/10 Season

Report by Gary Owen

The Bloods began preparations for the Blue Square North campaign with a string of victories – which all started at Unibond Division One (North) outfit Woodley Sports.

Mike Byron got things underway as early as the 5th minute, when he thumped home a header from a corner. Impressive new arrival Alex Meechan then grabbed a brace to put Droylsden in control. His first was a right-footed strike after holding off a defender, and his second a flick over the Woodley ‘keeper after he was sold short by a back pass.

However, arguably the best goal of the game came just after the half-hour when ex-Blood Gavin Salmon curled a beautiful effort into the far corner from the edge of the box.

Three days later Droylsden put Vodkat NW Counties side Irlam to the sword at their Silver Street home by cruising to a 6-0 victory. Droylsden were also denied on two occasions by the woodwork to spare the Salford team's blushes.

Liam Brownhill got things going with a deflected shot on just 3 minutes after his corner had not been fully cleared. Meechan made it three goals in two games on 20 minutes, before Byron hit the bar with a header.

After the break, Simon Yeo scored the first of hopefully many on 59 minutes, and Steve Halford made it 4 two minutes later. Tony Gray made it 5 with a penalty awarded for handball on 70 minutes after he had earlier been denied by an upright, and Matthew Tipton concluded matters with a sixth goal moments from time – his last in a Bloods' shirt, as he was sold to Macclesfield Town just a few days later.

The Bloods then visited recent Manchester premier Cup final opponents Mossley at Seel Park, and ran our 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Simon Yeo, Carl Lamb and Stuart Graves, despite falling behind to an early Matty Kay goal for the hosts.

Another victory was recorded on the Wirral at Cammel Laird, this time to the tune of 4-0 with first half goals from Tony Gray, Alex Meechan and Simon Yeo. The Bloods added to their tally in the second half when home ‘keeper Richard Whiteside fumbled a Lewis Craig corner kick over his own line.

Droylsden then visited Marine in the Merseyside sunshine to take on Kevin Lynch's Crosby outfit, and were held to a 2-2 draw. The hosts took an early lead when Mike Byron conceded a penalty for ex-Blood Neil Prince to convert the spot-kick on 14 minutes. Moments into the second half, though, Tony Gray levelled matters when he lofted the ball over the stranded Mariner's ‘keeper. Alex Meechan poked home in the 78th minute what many thought would be the winner, and this before Steve Halford had hit the bar from a Lewis Craig corner when it seemed easier to score. However, Kieran Molyneux rose at the far post to head home from a free kick with two minutes to spare.

The Bloods' penultimate friendly came at a rain-sodden Abbey Hey on a Tuesday night, and Dave Pace's men ran out comfortable 6-2 winners. First half goals from Carl Lamb (2), Paul Brown and Ronnie Morgan gave Droylsden a 4-0 half-time lead. However, moments after the break, Paul Matthew pulled one back for Hey in bizarre fashion from a corner kick, eluding The Bloods' triallist ‘keeper. Simon Yeo notched the fifth before Hey pulled another goal back, and Alex Meechan rounded-off the scoring.

Another rain-drenched day saw the Tony Downes Memorial Cup at home to Chester City, with just one goal separating The Bloods from their Blue Square Premier opponents, but what a goal it was. A mis-placed Alex Brown pass was collected by Lewis Allessandra who progress before beating Chris Howarth with an unstoppable 25 yarder.

Droylsden went close through Alex Meechan, and it had to be all hands at the pump for Chester in the final ten minutes, as The Bloods struck a post and had a shot blocked from Liam Brwonhill's free kick into the box. A late free kick by Lewis Craig also caused problems for Mick Wadworth's side, when no-one was on hand to convert Steve Pickford's cut-back, leaving Dave Pace to ponder what his starting eleven will be against Ilkeston Town.