DROYLSDEN 2 – 1 COLWYN BAY

Blue Square Bet North – Saturday 3 September 2011

Report by Gary Owen

A headed goal by Ciaran Kilheeney 12 minutes before time proved to be the difference between the two sides in a finely balanced encounter.

The Bloods showed early intent when a driving run by David Poole teed-up Dan Gardner, but he scuffed wide from only 8 yards.

However, the hosts found the back of the net just a minute later when John Hardiker headed home Paul Marshall’s corner from close range.

Bay rallied in response and were unlucky when a neat corner routine found John McKenna at the far post. His header was saved by Paul Phillips, making his 500th start for the east Manchester club, and Danny Meadowcroft’s follow-up was blocked.

A Rod McDonald header then flew just wide for the Welsh side, and at the other end a Kilheeney shot was deflected past the post.

It was first half added time when Bay left-back Mike Lea collected the ball on the half-way line and ran at Droylsden before unleashing a 25 yards effort. Phillips got his fingers to the ball, but it found the net off the inside of the post.

Bay struck the woodwork twice in the second half, firstly when Daniel Lloyd-McGoldrick’s deft touch came back off the inside of the post into Phillips’ grateful arms, and then when Damien Allen’s quick free kick struck The Bloods’ bar.

Droylsden were then denied by the woodwork when Danny Rowe’s effort was deflected onto the crossbar, before which Chris Sanna had to to over an effort by Kilheeney.

Lee Davy’s goal-bound effort was deflected for Bay and the hosts countered with Luke Holden’s exquisite cross finding Kilheeney’s head at the far post for the winner.

Afterwards, Bloods’ boss Dave Pace reflected on his team’s performances. “I’ve never known a season with so many injuries and suspensions to key players at this stage, so we’ve done well to keep in touch. However, I’m continually looking to strengthen, and this week I hope to recruit an Irish international defender from Burnley, and another first-teamer from Rochdale to bolster the squad.”

TEAMS

Droylsden:

Phillips, Anane (Langford, 52’), Holden, Kerr, Hardiker, Peyton (Killeen, 57’), Gardner, Marshall, Kilheeney, Rowe, Poole (Johnson, 57’).

Subs. not used: Hall, Lake.

Colwyn Bay:

Sanna, Denson, Lea, McDonald, Meadowcroft, McKenna, Evans, Allen, Davey (Rouse, 79’), Newby (Noon, 73’), Lloyd-McGoldrick .

Subs. not used: Benson, McLaughlan, Williams.

ATTENDANCE: 349

REFEREE: Mr. J. Whiteley (Leeds, West Yorkshire)




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