MAT FINISH EARNS BLUES A POINT

It was honours even at Harrison Park on Tuesday night when Blues and Droylsden played out an entertaining 1-1 draw.

Neil Baker unsurprisingly named an unchanged side after the 4-0 win at Skelmersdale, whilst the Bloods did likewise after scoring four in their opening victory against Runcorn Linnets.

Town started well and Charlie Walford got the first shot on target in the 11th minute which forced a good low save out of Chris Thompson.

A minute later Clive Lewis headed goalwards following a Droylsden corner but Mat Bailey was on hand to clear the ball off the line.

The Bloods were having the lions share of possession as the half wore on, but in the 34th minute Tim Grice worked himself an opening but skewed a difficult chance over.

A minute later the visitors had the ball in the net from a header but the flag was up for offside.

Both sides had chances just before the break firstly the Bloods Ryan Jennings headed weakly at Danny Roberts when he was found by a cross at the far post.

Then at the other end Walford crossed deep and Niall Green (pictured, above) coming in at the back post headed just over.

Jordan Johnson replaced Walford at half-time and ten minutes in Niall Maguire came close with a low skimming shot just wide of the post.

Sefton Gonzales then headed a chance wide for Droylsden before they took the lead in the 62nd minute when a low shot from Liam Caddick from just inside the box found the bottom corner of the Blues net.

The Bloods threatened a second just five minutes later when Shaun Holden's fine effort went just over the crossbar.

On 69 minutes Grice was played in by Rob Stevenson, but as he turned and got his shot away, Kelvin Lugsden made a great block to prevent a goal.

Maguire whipped a wonderful cross right across goal in the 76th minute but Stevenson just couldn't get the touch to turn it in.

Five minutes later Blues were level when Mat Bailey steamed in to head home a corner from close range.

Both sides pushed for the winner and Roberts was at full stretch to get his fingers to a low Domaine Rouse shot whilst a minute later Johnson tried a curler which just cleared the Bloods crossbar.

In the end a point apiece was probably just about right between two teams who on the evidence thus far will be hoping to be top five contenders this season.

Line-up:

1. Danny Roberts
2. Niall Green
3. Joe Kearns
4. Marc Grocott
5. Scott Lycett
6. Mat Bailey
7. Niall Maguire
8. Charlie Walford (14. Jordan Johnson, 45)
9. Tim Grice (12. Zeph Thomas, 75)
10. Dan Trickett-Smith
11. Rob Stevenson

Unused subs: 15. Jessy Bavanganga, 16. Harry Brazel, 17. Ben Chapman

Cards: None

Man of the Match: Danny Roberts

Attendance: 322

Match photos courtesy of Degsys Pics can be found here.