Droylsden 0 – 3 Blyth Sartans

Date published: 01 September 2010

This was all set to be the proverbial “smash and grab” by the Northumbrians, but the Spartans added two further goals in added time to give the score line an even more flattering look than it was set to have.

Credit where it’s due, though, as Blyth defended like Trojans, whilst at the same time Droylsden’s lack of a cutting edge up front cost them dear on this occasion.

It was clear which team dominated proceedings in terms of possession, but games aren’t won on such statistics.

The visitors recorded the first effort on target when Ian Graham’s near post header from a corner kick was met by Paul Phillips.

Luke Holden’s running was causing problems for the Spartans, though, and his deep cross to the far post was met by Liam Brownhill, but Jake Cunningham was equal to the task.

Cunningham then denied Holden with a superb tip over after the winger’s curling effort was bound for the top corner.

Instead of thinking he had put the hosts ahead, Nat Kerr then collected a caution for deliberate handball almost on the goal line, with the ball ironically looking goal bound without his illegal intervention.

Phillips then saved from Stephen Turnbull after Paul Brayson had cleverly back-heeled the ball into his path, meaning the half ended goal-less.

It seemed there could only be one winner from this match given Droylsden’s dominance, but a wayward header from Kerr gifted possession to Brayson on the hour, and Turnbull collected his pass to fire past Phillips, giving Blyth a lead they defended resolutely.

Brayson looked like adding to their lead with a header at the far post, but the ball bounced off the ground and over the bar.

Ciaran Kilheeney was then inches away from connecting with Lee Roche’s cross before Phillips saved from Brayson in a rare Blyth attack.

With the 90 minutes up, Luke Holden was stretchered from the pitch with a neck injury, meaning The Bloods had to play the added time with just ten men having used all substitutes.

However, Nicky Deverdics rolled the ball into Brayson’s path, who couldn’t miss from close range to secure the points.

Droylsden didn’t give up, though, and a Kilheeney header was clawed away by Cunningham, before Turnbull added his second in another rare counter-attack to confirm a first defeat for The Bloods.

This was just one of those bad days at the office – Droylsden will play worse than this and win, but an ability to convert domination into goals remains a priority.

The only real positive fro the performance was the debut of John Hardiker, who looked a class above all others on the pitch.


Teams

Droylsden: Phillips, Roche, Brownhill, Kerr, Hardiker (Byron, 77’),
Lloyd, Killeen, Gardner (Halford, 86’), Kilheeney, Booth (McNiven, 56’), Holden
Subs. not used: Vaughan, Towns (GK).

Blyth Spartans: Cunningham, Harrison, Cave, Tait, Swailes, Buchanan, Graham (Deverdics, 79’), Turnbull, Brayson, Hooks, Dale
Subs. not used: Smith, Morris, Alexander, O’Mahoney.

Referee: Mr. Ken Haycock (Bradford, West Yorkshire)

Attendance: 418