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

NUNEATON TOWN 1 – 1 DROYLSDEN

Blue Square Bet North - Saturday 21 August 2010

Report by Gary Owen

If the Bloods are to achieve their aim of promotion this season, then they will have to take all three points from games such as this, and Dave Pace knows it.

"With the players we have, we should really be beating teams like Nuneaton Town. We have the players capable of winning this league, but they have to deliver on the pitch. From what I saw today, we may need to make some changes - with some players having to go!"

It was unclear specifically to whom Dave was referring, but he added "I also have a couple of other players ready to come in."

In terms of the game itself, he said "OK – I accept we didn't lose the game, but really we should have won it. They were chuffed to bits with a point, so I suppose that at least demonstrates how far we've come as a club over recent years."

Nuneaton offered little threat up front for most of the 90 minutes, yet a moment's lost concentration, and Droylsden found themselves a goal behind.

As neither side really demonstrated any clear-cut precision up front, this was a game that saw most of the play in midfield with attacks breaking down with consummate ease.

The long grass of the Triton Showers Arena - possibly linked to the groundshare with the local rugby club - didn't help Droylsden's passing game, but the Bloods' lack of a cutting edge up front ultimately resulted in two points dropped.

The only goalmouth action in the first half was mainly as a result of defensive slips. Dan Gardner was the first to see sight of goal on 23 minutes, but his angled drive cannoned off the impressive Simon Forsdick into the grateful arms of Danny Alcock.

Moments later, Forsdick found himself free at the other end, but could only drive straight at Paul Phillips from 22 yards out.

A loose ball from Lee Roche then presented Lee Moore with an opportunity, but he shot a yard wide, before Alex Brown also registered a strike just off target from 25 yards for the Bloods.

Three minutes after the re-start, Nuneaton won a free kick on the right flank, and with the Droylsden defence caught napping, Lee Moore stole in unmarked to head home from Justin Marsden's cross.

This signalled domination from Dave Pace's men, but their superior possession failed to achieve the necessary breakthrough, with Robbie Booth denied by an excellent tackle by Stuart Pierpoint from Liam Brownwhill's low cross.

However, a super reflex save from Paul Phillips prevented Moore from doubling the lead, which perhaps proved to be a vital point in the game.

Adam Walker broke away from the Droylsden pressure to shoot wide of Phillips' goal, but the leveller arrived on 74 minutes when Nat Kerr rose at the far post to convert a corner kick that was needlessly conceded by Pierpoint.

An onslaught towards Alcock's goal ensued, but the home ‘keeper was only tested one when Brownhill's swerving drive was tipped over by the home ‘keeper, leaving the spoils shared.

With five minutes remaining, Danny Spencer elbowed Kerr in full view of the assistant and so was dismissed for the home side, but there was little time left for Droylsden to utilise their numerical advantage.

Given the reaction of the respective camps, it was clear that the hosts were the most satisfied with the outcome.

TEAMS

Nuneaton Town:

Alcock, Oddy, Forsdick, Noon, Hadland, Pierpoint, Walker (Armson, 80'), Storer, Dillon (Spencer, 78'), Moore, Daniel (Marsden, 46')

Subs. not used: Collins, Nisevic

Droylsden:

Phillips P., Roche, Brownhill, Kerr, Cryan, Brown, Lloyd (Booth, 51'), Gardner (Beck, 45'), Kilheeney, Killeen, Holden (Booth, 51').

Subs. not used: Halford, Vaughan

REFEREE: Mr. Geoff Law (Leicestershire)

ATTENDANCE: 902