Despite the Steelmen having dominated the early stages of the game, it was actually Dronfield who took the lead in the 12th minute through rather fortuitous circumstances. After a free-kick was awarded on the left-hand side, a meleé subsequently followed in box, before the ball was eventually deflected into the net via Dronfield’s Chris Savage.

This failed to deter Parkgate, however, and the side continued to apply pressure to the Dronfield defence. Numerous half-chances fell for Bruno Holden and Sammy Ompreon, but it wasn’t until the 30th minute that the equaliser finally came.

After Alex Rippon made a brilliant run down the left, the ball was switched to Parkgate forward Bruno Holden, who subsequently saw his effort parried by the Dronfield ‘keeper. Luckily, Sammy Ompreon was placed perfectly to slot home and draw the game level.

The Steelmen could consider themselves unlucky not to have taken the lead just before half-time. Some brilliant work from Ompreon down the right-hand side resulted in a chance for Holden, however, the Parkgate forward agonisingly saw his effort hit the side netting.

Half-time: Dronfield Town 1-1 Parkgate FC

The hosts came out a much improved side at the start of the second-half, and a number of chances soon followed. To start with, Chris Butt pulled off two fantastic saves to deny the visitors the lead.
Not long after, and the home side hit the crossbar, only to see the linesman raise his flag for offside anyway.

With just 15 minutes left on the clock, Dronfield their winner. Following another excellent save from Chris Butt in the Parkgate goal, the ball fell to Town’s Mark Fereday, who, despite the best efforts of Brad Davies, fired the ball into the roof of the net.

The Steelmen still managed to create one last chance right at the death though, when Brandon Bagley looped a brilliant ball into the Dronfield box. Despite his best efforts, however, Alex Rippon saw his headed effort agonisingly bounce back off of the woodwork, and Parkgate left empty handed.

Dronfield Town climb to 7th and Parkgate fall to 9th, with the home side coming out of the game much deserved winners.

Full-time: Dronfield Town 2-1 Parkgate FC

Parkgate: Chris Butt, Ben Starosta, Bradley Davies, Matt Crookes, Haydn Ward, Lewis Whitaker, Elliott Simpson(c), Brandon Bagley, Bruno Holden, Alex Rippon, Sammy Ompreon
Subs: George Morris, Owen Fieldsend, Alex Pugh, Mack Collinson, Josh Hobson.