Droylsden get off to a superb start in their first league game since 2020 as they played host to Abbey Hulton United at the weekend.
It was just three minutes in when there was an early chance as the opponents struck the crossbar to get the game off to an exciting start.
But the deadlock broke as half time approached, with George West scoring after a great bit of determination from AJ Warburton to chase the ball down in the opposition’s half.
Toby Green doubled the Bloods’ lead on 79 minutes, with an own goal three minutes after the 90 making it 3-0 in front of a crowd of 955 with Droylsden ending the day sitting 4th in the North West Counties League Division One South.
1-0 West scores after a great bit of determination from AJ Warburton to chase the ball down in the opposition’s half pic.twitter.com/Gc7thjPCQy
— Droylsden FC (@Droylsden_FC) July 29, 2023
Owner David Pace said in the match programme prior to the game: “It has been a very busy few months and we have been overwhelmed by all the support we have had from the community. To see crowds queuing down Market Street to get into our first friendly was remarkable and I can only express my thanks to everybody who has come along to support us.
“But now the real work starts on the pitch. From nearly 140 people turning up to our first trial, we have whittled down our squad for the first week of fixtures which will see three games in eight days.
“It will be a testing time for the players, having not played together in a competitive game and I would ask our fans to be patient through August as we establish ourselves at this level.
“Predictions- Well anyone that knows me will know that I set my goals high – So here’s to promotion by the end of April and a trip to Wembley in the FA Vase final.”
Nigel Barlow, club secretary, said: “I remember the game very well-Should we should we not play? COVID was in the news, sporting events were getting cancelled left right and centre and bars and cafes were emptying.
“On the field The Bloods went down 4/0 to Clitheroe and someone stole all our hand wash. As toilet rolls flew off the shelves, The League cancelled the next games and soon the country would be locked down.
“What a party we would have when it was all over. Little did we know and little did we know that the defeat could well be the last Bloods game in its 130 year history.
“Yet the Phoenix always rises from the flame and nearly three years later, a small group of supporters decided to meet at the Butchers Arms to see if there was any hope of the resurrection.
And truly there was, with nearly a hundred turning up and at the subsequent meeting, there was a flicker of light at the tunnel’s end.
“And just six months later we welcome Abbey Hulton to the our first league game at the Butchers Arms. It hasn’t been a easy ride, a long wait to find out if we would be admitted to the league. All the rumours, which league would we being going into.
“That may have been the easy but, money to be raised, ground to be prepared, pigeons to chase off, pitch to be repaired, and that was only half of it.
“Then 138 people turn up for a trial on a scorching June afternoon. So many people involved in the fund raising, discos, horse races, raffles and so many kind donations from so many people, too numerous to mention.
“And then the first friendly, a baptism of fire for many of the people new to running a football
club, delayed kick off ,queues outside the stadium, running out of beer and did someone mention contactless?
“So whatever the season throws at us now, I am sure we can all cope. Here’s for a successful season.”
SQUAD LIST:
Harrison Bickerton
Daniel Burgess
Harrison Cunningham
Adam Farrand
Elliott Fenton
Tobias Green
Keane Joyce
Reece Kerr
Joseph Keyworth
Diego Ladle
Kyle Mackinnon
Oliver McKay
Daniel McLoughlin
Joseph Nield
Zak Oliver (GK)
Christopher Pauley
Finlay Phillips
Morgan Piper (GK)
Menny Rose
Neilson Van
Anthony Warburton
Carter Waters
George West
Owen Whitehead
Me Williams
Here’s what fans are saying as Droylsden get off to superb start in their first league game since 2020…
@NSoul3011: Number 8 and 12 have been fucking superb today!
@DFCDan94: Not long ago i thought i would never watch the Bloods again & before that never imagined 955 people would want to watch us play 🤣 long may it continue! #BloodDonation
@NSoul3011: After three and a half years, that meant so much. Super performance. ♥️👌
@PeterHull5: Well done lads 👍
@CWalker87: Get in bloods
@Topblood73: Fantastic day, means so much to so many people. Particularly pleased for Pacey and more unbelievable is that we kept a clean sheet. That’s not happened since 1924.
@KeithEdleston: Toby Green , what a player , keep it up mate you’ll smash it
@MarkDav63070885: Great to see the club back 👏
@DerbyBlood: Made the 4 hour round trip worth every minute. 23 extra time too was a nice bonus. Well done everyone involved in getting this great club back on the map. So good to see DP shouting on that touch line again too
@mancunianway: Great game.. some embarrassing behaviour by small group of supporters.. but cracking result.. well done lads.
Updated 28 to 30 July Top #NonLeague Crowds
5451 @buryfcofficial
955 @Droylsden_FC
777 @FCIsleOfMan
688 @HucknallTownFc
687 @WD_CFC
609 @NewarkTownFC
534 @bishopafc
520 @SilsdenAFC
488 @golcarunited
477 @southwellcityfc
472 @WythenshaweFC
468 @eastwoodcfc
455 @Heatonstan— Non League Crowds (@NonLeagueCrowd) July 31, 2023
@NonLeagueCrowd @Droylsden_FC 3-0 @abbeyhulton2015 Att 905 pic.twitter.com/AKHbbrKgnH
— Brian Houghton (@cityfanbrian) July 29, 2023
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