2006/2007 season Match no.8 - Nationwide North
Saturday, September 9th, 2006
Droylsden 1, ALFRETON TOWN 1

Match report by Gordon Foster (Mansfield CHAD). Pics by Phil Lucic.

DRAW specialists Alfreton Town recorded their sixth share of the spoils in their eight league matches to date and gained their first ever away point against Droylsden at the Butchers Arms on Saturday.
But after some enterprising performances so far this season, this was one in which they played second fiddle for long periods and were made to battle for the point.
A 4-2 midweek friendly victory over Mansfield Town had put the Reds in good heart for the trip, and Matt Glass, who scored two late goals in that match to give the Reds the victory, was rewarded with a place in the starting line-up, replacing Tristram Whitman in the only change from the side that figured in a goalless but thoroughly entertaining contest against Harrogate the previous weekend.
The Reds lived dangerously in the first half but managed to turn round with the scoresheet still blank. However, the Bloods swept into a 48^th-minute lead when hotshot Terry Fearns put away Steve Daly’s cross. That was cancelled out 25 minutes later by Andy Tiday’s well-struck 23-yard free kick.Manager Gary Mills was relieved to see the Butchers Arms hoodoo ended, but admitted that his side had been second best for the majority of the afternoon.He added: “While it’s 1-0 you’ve always got a chance, and Andy Tiday came up with a very good goal for us.“It was still a pleasing point from a team who were 100 per cent at home so far this season and had not lost at home since December, and we continued to show something which we didn’t have to the same extent last season, that is players who want to play for Alfreton Town.”Midweek speculation had linked right back Ryan Clarke with a move to Worcester City, and Clarke’s wish to leave has been well documented. But he continues to give 100 per cent for the Reds, despite the latest offer being rejected – so much so that he just about earned man of the match from fellow contenders Dale Roberts and the always influential Marcus Ebdon.Roberts again came to Reds’ rescue as Droylsden created scoring opportunities, but in truth he should not have had a chance with most of them, and the Bloods’ finishing was not all that it should have been.“The situation is that Ryan is still our player,” said Mills, “and he’s playing in a way that suggests he wants to play for us. He did very well for us today.”“Unfortunately one or two didn’t. When some players don’t do the jobs asked of them it becomes difficult for those around them. Some were off the pace today which is why I changed it and pushed four forward late on. We didn’t get the goal in open play, but Andy stuck in a great free kick.”The Reds had an amazing let-off inside the first minute. Gary Sucharewycz lost possession too easily to Fearns on the edge of the area. The prolific striker advanced to the right of the area, and when he tried a cross-shot Sucharewycz’s attempted clearing header flew goalwards, forcing Roberts to dive and push the ball to safety off his post.Roberts subsequently saved from Gareth Morris and Fearns before Town came more into the picture.Clarke and Ebdon in particular got several crosses and through balls into the home area, but with no end product, and home keeper Mark Westhead was not troubled with anything more than routine work.There was some potential promise when Jermaine Palmer advanced on goal from the left, until he was stopped on the 18-yard line by Carl Ruffer’s important challenge midway through, but that was just about it for the Reds in the first half.On the other hand Roberts was relieved to see Morris’ hanging free kick from all of 40 yards drop just outside the far post.Mills made all his three substitutions in the opening 15 minutes of the second period. Craig Mitchell replaced Glass at the start, and Alfreton had the first attack of the half, but Steve Melton’s header onto Ebdon’s cross was weak.Daly immediately broke along the left, and when he crossed, Fearns was found unmarked in the six-yard box to score an easy goal.Anton Brown replaced the unusually quiet Emeka Nwadike, and both he and Mark Turner headed away dangerous crosses from Jody Banim, before Mills sent on Whitman for Melton. With Tiday also pushed further forward, the Reds now had four up front.The extra attacking options paid off when the Reds won a free kick 23 yards out, and Tiday curled in a peach of a direct shot from the inside-left position to pull them level.Droylsden should have restored their lead four minutes later, when Turner lost possession to Steve Jagielka, who put Fearns in on goal. But Roberts stood up well to make the save.But Alfreton could have had a fortunate winner eight minutes from time, when Palmer picked out Mitchell with a beautiful through pass. Westhead raced out of his area, but his attempted clearance struck the Reds striker, only to rebound wide of the gaping goal.Clarke and Turner then both made important blocks as the Bloods turned the screw late on to deny Fearns and Chris Denham.DROYLSDEN: Westhead, Halford, Warner, Robinson, Ruffer (Williams 37), Morris, Jagielka, Banim, Fearns, Daly (Adams 67), Denham. Subs not used: Burke, Rapley, Hall.ALFRETON: Roberts, Clarke, Featherstone, Sucharewycz, Turner, Melton (Whitman 59), Nwadike (Brown 52), Ebdon, Palmer, Glass (Mitchell ht), Tiday. Subs not used: Barnard, Burbeary.REFEREE: Duggie Stewart of Wallasey.ATTENDANCE: 372.SCORERS: Droylsden – Feanrs 48. Alfreton – Tiday 73.CAUTIONS: Droylsden – Adams 79 (‘professional’ foul on Palmer); Brown 83 (retaliation on Sucharewycz). Alfreton – Featherstone 88 (foul on Denham).

REDS MAN OF THE MATCH: Ryan Clarke.