An Advert for Non-League Football!!!!!

Harrogate Town 3-3 Droylsden
17.08.2010

A game which started so one-sided turned into a thriller at the CNG stadium. In the first 10 minutes town fans must have wondered why they bothered turning up as on 7 minutes Droylsden took the lead, a throw in on the left which seemed to evade everyone fell to Rob Lloyd who found himself in acres of space just turned round ran towards the goal and slotted in the bottom left corner Dootson the Harrogate Town keeper left with no chance at all, the town players were left blaming each other for who should have closed the space down. They were almost blaming each other once again 1 minute later as Droylsden broke down the right managed to beat the town left back Liam Shepherd, got his cross in and the ball was headed against the bar , this was a huge let-off for town who were really under the cosh at that point.

Town seemed to use that missed chance from Droylsden to push them on as they showed great fight back to grab a goal on 21 minutes, no doubt it was against the run of play and Dave Pace the Droylsden manager was a not a happy chappy punching the railing in disgust, as a hopeful ball was played up field from town the Droylsden defender missed his header and Liam Hardy was in there in a flash to nip in and chip it over the out rushing keeper, this gave Town a foothold in the game and they really pushed on from this.

Just 4 minutes later Hardy was at it again, he was so much sharper than the Droylsden back line and again nipped in and expertly finished low into the corner, a great effort from Hardy who has been signed after his impressive performances in the lower reaches of non-league football bagging over 40 goals last season. Town were really bossing it at this stage and could’ve had a 3rd and a hat-trick for Hardy, Shepherd burst down the centre with brilliant ease laid the ball to hardy, who this time couldn’t beat the keeper who came out well to deny the young striker.

Half time then arrived with the score at 2-1 to Harrogate Town, during the interval I could hear town fans all around be discussing the outstanding turn around from town, I spoke to couple and they were really praising the young lad Liam Hardy, who on this 1st half showing we will be lucky to keep hold of.

The second half then came around and you could sense the Harrogate Town fans couldn’t wait for it to get underway as we definitely had the momentum on our side. Town were definitely still on top, as Dave Pace made his way back round to his viewing point the Droylsden manager looking angrier then ever. His face turned into a rage on 54 minutes as a cross from the right from Martin Foster, which with pin-point accuracy found the head of Graeme Armstrong put Harrogate Town further ahead, the free header from Armstrong was buried into the top right of the net.

From there I was thinking to my self come on lads lets just try and keep this lead, well that idea soon went out of the window as Droylsden were back in the game, one of the Droylsden centre midfielders picked up the ball ran and ran, made it into the box felt a slight touch on his shoulder and fell to ground, the referee pointed to the spot, Town fans in the stadium obviously felt that was bit harsh and me included started venting some frustration towards the referee. Up stepped Kilheeny who seems to have a knack at scoring at the CNG stadium scoring in his last few visits here, slotting low into the bottom left of the goal, Dootson who dived the right way was just unable to keep the ball out. The score now at 3-2 town fans started to worry again.

After that goal, with half an hour still left play Town started to lose their way in the game a little bit and Droylsden took over, we substituted Wayne Phillips who seemed to pick up an injury then 10 minutes later substituted 2 goal hero Liam Hardy to a rapturous reception from the town fans. The players that entered the fray were James Naylor and Ryan Kendall, they slotted into the team quite well and were really helping town stop Droylsden scoring tracking back making constant interceptions. Town then sent on Mike Jacklin for the last 10 minutes to try and keep hold of the ball upfront this worked to a certain extent as he kept it in the corner to waste a valuable minute.

Then Droylsden broke away and only a fine save from Dootson was able to keep town in the lead, he dived off to his left to push away a drive that was heading for top corner. Town were really struggling now and the crowd could definitely sense it they were constantly shouting things to encourage the players onto the victory they probably deserved. Then the time went up on the board for injury time 5 MINUTES!! The town faithful were not happy and booed the man with the board even thought surely the frustration should be in the referee’s direction. Town were still managing to hold on with the ball in Droylsden half when suddenly, Town lost the ball and Droylsden were away past the halfway line Shepherd tried to come across to cover but couldn’t keep up the ball was played through and there it was the equaliser for Droylsden in the 94th minute, slotted just under the reach of Dootson. The town fans me included fell silent, the look on manager Simon Weavers face and both that of the players was disbelief, it seemed like we would hold out but they had caught us out. The final whistle was then blown; town fans clapped the effort from the lads but will ultimately leave disappointed knowing we were a minute away from victory. Richard Pell walking off the pitch with his head in his hands told the story utter despair.

On that performance however it looks like we will see plenty of wins at the CNG stadium in the future and this season still looks like it is going to be a lot stronger than last season’s dismal showing. CMON YOU TOWN!!!!!!