DROYLSDEN 2 – 1 GLOSSOP NORTH END

EvoStik NPL Division One (North)

Tuesday 20 October 2015

BY GARY OWEN

Few would have given Droylsden much hope of securing three points from a previously unbeaten North End outfit, but in typical Droylsden unpredictable style, that’s what happened.

The Bloods should have been behind before they took the lead, when the usually reliable Jamie Rainford rounded Craig Ellison, but somehow delayed his shot in to the open goal, allowing Ellison in for a last ditch recovery tackle.

The Glossop striker will no doubt have regretted that miss when Droylsden took the lead through a Domain Rouse header in a crowded area following good work on the left flank from Ben Barber and James Hampson.

However, Rainford atoned for his earlier miss by bringing the Derbyshire side level five minutes later with a smart finish past Ellison from Astley Mulholland’s astute through ball.

Brandon Zibaka shot straight at Greg Hall, but the Glossop stopper had no chance five minutes before the break, when Dominic Smith – fresh from his brace against Prescot – stunned the ground with a bullet of an effort seemingly out of nothing that flew in off the bar.

The Hillmen almost levelled twice before the break, but Kieran Lugsden – struggling with an injury – failed to get sufficient power on his shot after a neat free kick routine, and the same man saw his header saved, with the follow-up deflected on to the roof of the net.

Glossop pressed their hosts for much of the second half, but failed to make the breakthrough – Joe Shaw seeing his shot blocked on the line.

Despite being under pressure at times, Droylsden were a threat on the break, and Hall had to be smart off his line to thwart Billy Hasler-Cregg, before Smith had the Glossop keeper at full stretch to turn away his curling effort destined for the far corner – a fine save from an equally fine effort on goal.

Hall again had to save from Hasler-Cregg to keep Glossop in it, and the visitors almost snatched a point when Rainford was through one-on-one with Ellison, but the Droylsden number one got sufficient purchase to take the sting out of the effort, enabling Ged Murphy to clear up off the line.

Ellison again saved Droylsden’s bacon from Shaw at the far post, but Dave Pace’s men held on to record two wins on the bounce for the first time since the pre-season friendlies!

DROYLSDEN:          Ellison, Antoine-Clarke, Barber, Wood, Murphy (Parkinson, 84’), O’Brien (Hasler-Cregg, 63’), Rouse, Grimshaw, Zibaka, Smith, Hampson J. (Bell, 71’)  Subs. not used – Ramsbottom, McLoughlin.

GLOSSOP NE.:        Hall, Fitzgerald (Shaw, 32’), Russell, Kelvin Lugsden, Young, Andrews, Mulholland, Rainford, Bailey (Stott, 68’), Kieran Lugsden (Hare, 46’), Moran.  Sub. not used – Alexander.

Referee:                                 Mr.  Darren Rogers

Attendance:                          315

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