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Droylsden 2-1 Bradford Park Avenue

1/10/2008

FORMER Blood Dave Cameron brought his UniBond Premier Division side over the hills, but an erratic display from the man in the middle assisted the Blue Square North team to progress

With no fewer than five former Droylsden players in Avenue’s squad, this was something like an old boys’reunion.

However, two crucial moments in the second half gave a helping hand to the Bloods and left Avenue scratching their heads in disbelief.

With the home side leading 1-0 at the break, Avenue stormed out of the blocks at half-time and Stuart Rudd, who had only been on the pitch for two minutes, converted from a low right wing cross to level the tie.

That was after Colin Cryan had given the home side the lead on 19 minutes when he headed home after Carl Lamb had nodded the ball back into the centre.

Cryan was also forced to head clear when Tom Baker turned the ball goalwards after it had broken loose. It was just after the hour that the officials gave the first of two crucial decisions which helped decide the fate of this tie.

Mike Byron appeared to collide with Craig Mawson, and with Chris Hall about to benefit from the empty goal, the referee’s assistant flagged for a Droylsden free kick, with the referee booking the disbelieving ex-Celtic striker.

The second strange decision came within 10 minutes when Kevin Townson ran into the area under pressure from Mark Haran and with Jon Worsnop coming out to block.

Townson got a foot to the ball for what seemed like a goal kick and fell into the committed keeper, only for Mr Etchells to point to the spot and Sean Newton to beat Worsnop and restore Droylsden’s lead.

With time running out, Bradford tried to find an elusive equaliser, and thought they had an opportunity when Steve Pickford pushed Stuart Rudd in the area, but the referee waved away their appeals.

Attendance: 425

Gary Owen