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

BLYTH SPARTANS 2 – 2 DROYLSDEN

Blue Square North - Monday 31st August 2009

Report by Gary Owen

A last gasp equaliser from Danny Williams earned a point for The Bloods in Northumberland, although it was the least they deserved from this game, with a draw probably being a fair result.

Droylsden had to twice come from behind in a hugely entertaining affair. Spartans' first goal came after just three minutes, when a slip by Steve Halford presented Robert Dale with a clear run at goal, and the big striker kept his composure to slot past Craig Mawson.

However, that was not before Sean Whalley had gone inches over, but Mark Bell had it covered in the Spartans' goal.

Josh Gillies then shot over for the hosts, and Mawson did well to save from Darren Cradock, but The Bloods were level on eight minutes, when a super dipping volley from Whalley had Bell beaten all ends up.

Mawson saved The Bloods again, this time from a Paul Brayson effort, and Rob Lloyd poked wide at the other end following a Droylsden corner.

Chris McCabe and Ian Graham both saw efforts go off target for the hosts, and McCabe claimed he was shoved in the back, but the referee, Mr. Clayton, was having none of it – the first of a number of decisions that rattled the home crowd.

Paul Brown shot straight at Bell from a tight angle after a Spartans' clearance was charged down, leaving the first half ending all square.

Chances continued to flow at both ends, with Gillies pulling his shot wide foe the home side, and Paul Brown landing a volley on top of Bell's net for Droylsden.

Bell was then twice call into action to save from Tony Gray and Rob Lloyd, but the moment that really enraged the home support came when Mr. Clayton cautioned Paul Brayson for diving, when many were expecting a penalty kick to be awarded to Blyth.

Graham shot over and Mawson was equal to a Dale shot, but the home side did regain the lead with a stunning goal on 72 minutes. Dale played a great cross-field pass to Stephen Harrison on the opposite flank, and the advancing full-back hit a bullet of a shot across Mawson and into the far corner.

It looked like it could be the winner, but Dave Pace withdrew Lee Woodyatt – who had been e led a merry dance by Dale all afternoon – and threw on Simon Yeo to go 3-4-3.

However, that plan almost immediately backfired when Neil Sorvel – who had otherwise had another solid game – misjudged a header in the full back position allowing Brayson a clear run at goal. Mawson advanced from his line to deflect the shot against the post and Liam Brownhill cleared the danger.

Bell saved from Gray at the foot of his right hand post as Spartans were penned back, and Whalley won a questionable free kick on the edge of the box when he merely appeared to have lost his balance. Gray took the free kick, which was deflected, and Bell saved well, but Williams was quickest to the loose ball to nod into the empty net.

Blyth tried to regain their lead for a third time through Stephen Turnbull and then Dale, but Mr. Clayton brought matters to a close with a crescendo of “boos” aimed at him from the Croft Park faithful.

TEAMS

Blyth Spartans:

Bell, Harrison, Brackstone, Graham (Dinniger, 68'), Williams G., Cradock, McCabe, Turnbull, Brayson, Gillies, Dale.

Subs. Not used: Tait, Boyle, Reay, Alexander

Droylsden:

Mawson, Woodyatt (Yeo, 80'), Brownhill, Ruffer, Halford, Sorvel, Beck (Williams D., 34'), Lloyd, Gray, Brown P. (Meechan, 66'), Whalley.

Subs not used: Craig, Byron.

REFEREE: Mr. Simon Clayton (County Durham)

ATTENDANCE: 637