LANCASTER CITY 1 – 1 DROYLSDEN

EvoStik NPL Division One (North)

Saturday 23 January 2016

The Bloods secured a useful point at the Giant Axe following a closely contested affair, particularly considering that their hosts had recently been on a five game winning run.

However, Droylsden were on the back foot for the opening half hour, with Ricky Mercer heading over from a Lancaster free kick, and another Dolly Blues’ free kick by Ryan Winder fired straight at Steve James.

There were 40 minutes on the clock before Droylsden recorded their first shot on target, as Billy Hasler-Cregg’s effort was turned away by Mike Hale from Ben Barber’s cross.

Dave Pace’s men started the second half like the hosts started the first, with Lee O’Brien heading over from a corner kick, before Brandon Zibaka and Domain Rouse combined to set-up Barber, but he pulled his shot wide.

Just before the hour mark, Lancaster’s Tom Kilfin had a goal ruled out for offside, and at the other end, visiting substitute Dominic Smith pulled another Droylsden shot wide with his first touch.

The deadlock was finally broken on 74 minutes, when Zach Clark headed home from Billy Akrigg’s cross, but Lancaster’s lead lasted only four minutes as Hasler-Cregg drove into the City area only to be tripped, and he converted the resultant spot-kick, despite Hale getting a hand to the ball.

The goal gave further confidence to the visitors, and they almost snatched a late lead when Rouse hit the post from Barber’s cross, with the follow-up effort being cleared off the line.

Rouse, Smith and Edmondson-Rouse all saw further efforts go off target before the referee brought matters to a close as the heavens opened once again over northern Lancashire.

LANCASTER CITY:              Hale, Henry, Clarke, Davis, Marshall, Mercer, Winder, Akrigg, Kilfin (Clark, 66’), Carney. Cummings (Watson, 53’).  Subs. Shearwood, Rogerson

DROYLSDEN:                       James, Antoine-Clarke, Gibson, Wood, Hampson B., O’Brien, Grimshaw (Pino, 75’), Rouse, Zibaka (Smith, 66’), Barber (Edmondson-Rouse, 88’),Hasler-Cregg.  Subs. not used – Daley, Murphy.

Referee:                                 Mr. Bob Roberts  (Leyland)

Attendance:                           266

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