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Droylsden 1-1 Tamworth

13/ 8/2008

THIS result was a fair reflection of a rather dour opening day affair in which neither side played like a team who deserved to win the game.

Tamworth enjoyed the better chances in the first half and ought to have gone in at the break more than the one goal to the good that they did.

A free kick by Lee Hildritch found Gareth Sheldon in space at the far post, only for his shot to strike the underside of the bar and bounce out.

Although Bradley Pritchard latched onto the rebound, he snatched his shot wide.

Five minutes later, Hildritch benefited from a missed tackle by Liam Brownhill on Alex Rodman, but Jon Kennedy in the Droylsden goal managed to get a fingertip to his shot and turned it around the post.

The Bloods fell behind on 27 minutes when Kennedy saved Sheldon’s shot, but was unable to hang onto the ball.

It fell to Nick Wright, whose shot struck Kennedy’s chest, and although the ball landed with Liam Brownhill, he could not prevent the ball from running away and crossing the line.

It was the 39th minute before the Bloods recorded their first shot on target when Carl Lamb’s lung-busting 40-yard run forced a fine save from Will Puddy.

Ten minutes after the re-start, Droylsden were level after Craig McAughtrie conceded a free kick. Cavell Coo played the ball into the Tamworth box where Steve Halford rose highest to loop a header beyond the sprawling reach of Puddy. This spurred on the hosts, and Tamworth correctly survived shouts for handball against McAughtrie. In the same attack, Ashley Burbeary volleyed goalwards, but the ball was cleared off a Tamworth chest, despite further calls for handball.

McAughtrie twice went close in the closing stages, although his last effort that struck the bar just after the referee had blown for full time.

Attendance: 414

Gary Owen