AFC Dronfield 1 - 4 Sheffield Bankers

The Bankers arrived at Dronfield looking to extend the unbeaten competitive run to 10 games.
After some new additions last season and in the summer, the squad was looking settled.

Terrance Balmer, Mark Kokot, Alex Colton came into the 15 for the 1st time this season. Terrance has come out of a summer retirement, whilst Alex has been away with work commitments. Mark was granted special leave following his involvements in the Euros.
Manager Andy Taylor made two changes to the team from the previous week. Going out was the injured James Steer, Taylor also made the call to drop himself from the 11. Coming in was Mark Kokot into centre midfield and the on time Jack Joyce returned at right back. Phil Miskellslotted into central defence and Jack Roe moved into a more familiar wide midfield role.

The game started with the bankers looking to move the ball quickly, the pitch was perfect for the passing game Bankers like to play. Instead the Bankers fell into the trap of playing long searching balls forward, not the new Bankers way but never the less it worked.

A long ball towards the left from Ridall found Roe, he drove inside on to his right foot opting to stand the man up and take his shot on. The shot was deflected for a corner. Dan Beech swung the corner on to the keeper who was battling to get round fan favorite Rob Jerrison, arriving late (into the area, not the game) was Joyce who headed home the opener.

The 1st half huffed and puffed with the Bankers seeming in control, the passing got shorter and possession increased.

The midfield of Kokot, Tunstall and Ridall were in control of the tempo. Ridall collecting it deep and Tunstall operating closer to Jerrison made it hard for Dronfield to get close. Kokot supported the two with great energy and link up passing.

The back line of Joyce, Miskell, Joe Jerrison and skipper Russell were dealing with the counter attacking play of the opposition.
The half finished with the Bankers on top. The team were sent out for the second half with the instruction of quick passing, keeping the ball and to continue with the off ball energy.

The second half started with a wave of Dronfield possession and pressure. The introduction of a tricky wide player by Dronfield at half time unsettled the balance of play until the Bankers switched back into gear.

Rob Jerrison was leading the line well, he was enjoying his duel with the Dronfield Captain. The two were competitive for every challenge, unfortunately for the Dronfield skipper had to be substituted following a Jerrison challenge.

The substitution upset the Dronfield team and bench, with no booking and a host of fouls the game looked to be heading in the wrong direction. Dronfield continued to get at the ref whist Bankers showed experience and calmness to get back to playing football.

Sub - Dean on and R.Jerrison off.

A well worked move from the back across into the midfield found its way to the influential Tunstall, he fed a ball through to the Dean who lifted the ball over the keeper onto the bar. Roe kept the ball alive out wide, drove into the box and unselfishly squared for Tunstall who slotted home.

By this point the Bankers were in complete control, last seasons star man Dan Beech was looking fit and a constant threat. His desire to work back as well as forward this season has added a new much appreciated dynamic to his game. Dronfield didn't know where he was popping up next. With Taylor keen to keep him fresh Beech was subbed for the returning Alex Colton.

The game was now totally dominated by the Bankers, Miskelland Jerrison played out of the back and the two full backs defended and played the easy ball superbly. With Kokot getting better and better,Dronfield simply couldn't get the ball back. When the did they were quickly disposed by an organised back line and midfield.

The next goal came again from another possession based build up, this time Tunstall again set Dean off running, Dean calmly slotted home for his 1st of the season. Dean's direct and aggressive play was to much for the tiring back line and made space for other Bankers players.

Roe was bullying the Dronfield right back with some breathtaking touches. His decision to flick the ball one way and roll the other way left the crowd and the Dronfield full back speechless.

Sub off Ridall and Balmer on

Miskell stepped into the midfield and added a fresh energy. His Duracell bunny like attitude gave a tiring Bankers a lift. Tunstall, Roe, Kokot and Colton moved the ball superbly, whilst Miskell had become the new attacking threat with surging runs forward.
The next goal came when Colton driffed inside and found Miskell charging forward, an excellently weighted pass was meet by the right foot of Miskell who calmly slotted over the keeper to make it 4-0.

The game fizzed out to possession football for the Bankers, Dronfield were beaten and they knew it. A late chance for Dean to make it 5 was denied by the crossbar. Dronfield got one back with a defense mix up at a set play. The goal was to much for Bankers keeper Scott Dinnigan to take, Scott opted to let everyone know how angry he was by kicking the post really, really hard!
A solid performance with plenty of positives against what will be a competitive Dronfield side.

Players of the Match - Jack Roe and Mark Kokot, both picked for outstanding team work and work with the ball.

Player Ratings;
Scott Dinnigan - 7
Mike Russell - 7
Phil Miskell - 8
Joe Jerrison - 7
Jack Joyce - 7
Mark Kokot - 9
Miles Ridall - 7
Chris Tunstall - 8
Dan Beech - 8
Jack Roe - 9
Rob Jerrison - 7

Sub's;
Sam Dean - 8
Alex Colton - 7
Terrance Balmer - 7