Tuesday Nov 08 2005 00:00
The Bloods ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in this entertaining Tameside derby at Seel Park to progress to the second round of this competition.
The Lillywhites and the Bloods enjoyed five goals between them, all from open play, with the first two coming in the opening 8 minutes.
Droylsden opened the scoring on 5 minutes when man of the match Chris Denham was allowed space in the Mossley box and to place his angled drive past Lee Bracey.
However, just three minutes later, Mossley were level when the Bloods’ defence was caught sqaure trying to play offside, and Leon Mike said “thank you very much” and steered his shot out of Jon Worshop’s reach from the edge of the box.
Kevin Rapley then saw two efforts go off target for the visitors, before he finally restored their lead on 25 minutes, after Denham and Gareth Morris had worked an opening down the right flank. Dave Cameron failed to find the net from Morris’ low cross, but Rapley made no mistake with the loose ball.
Joe Shaw and the lively Jordan Goodeve both then went close for the Lillywhites, and Joel Pilkington also had a chance to level matters just before the break, but the Bloods led at the turn around.
Mossley continued to press early in the second half, but Denham underlined Droylsden’s superiority as he beat two players to cut inside onto his left foot before curling his shot beyond Lacey into the far corner to cap a fine display from the former Stalybridge man.
On the hour mark, Jimmy Williams then shot past Bracey from the edge of the box to make it 4-1, but Bracey was probably unsighted.
Dave Pace then introduced Terry Fearns, who went close on four ocassions, including being denied by the foot of the post, but his first goal from open play for the Bloods has yet to arrive. Hopefully, he is keeping that one in reserve for the visit of the league leaders on Saturday!
Goodeve twice went close, with his final effort – a splendid overhead kick – bringing applause from supporters of both teams, but his shot cannoned off the Droylsden bar and was cleared.
In the dying moments, Bracey made a good double save from Fearns and Denham, but there were to be no more goals in this otherwise free flowing and entertaining game.
Have your say on this article