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Match Reports 2007/2008 Season
Druids maul Wilmslow Sports 7- 0
(18 November 2007)
In this one-sided match, the Druids spurned more chances than they scored, but still triumphed 7-0 against an average Wilmslow Sports side. Oliver Jones opened the score in the first half and he quickly got his hat-trick in the second half with two more well-taken goals. The Druids dominated and were never in danger of conceding. Many more chances went begging, but the Druids still managed to increase the score line to 7-0 through Dan Imiolek 2 (1 penalty), John Armitage and Louis Belson. The full-time whistle came as a relief on this bitterly cold morning and Man of the Match was Aaron Jennings for his sturdy defensive work at the back.
Druids draw with New Mills
Juniors 1 - 1 (11 November 2007)
After a bright start, the Druids gave away the initiative to the home side, and in the end, were lucky to escape with a 1-1 draw. Dan Cobb lashed the ball into the roof of the net after only 2 minutes and the Druids pressed for more goals. A cross from John Armitage hit the bar and several other chances were spurned. Some 10 minutes before half-time, the Druids started to lose the midfield battle and New Mills pressed for an equaliser. However, with the home side having the bulk of the possession and the Druids happy to sit back, the New Mills Juniors did not carve out any clear-cut chances and the half-time score remained 1-0 to the Druids. After half-time, the same pattern emerged, with New Mills pressing forward and the Druids happy to play on the counter attack. After some pin-ball play in the Druids box, New Mills finally equalised with keeper Andrew Metzelaar unsighted. In the final 10 minutes, the Druids found some new energy and could have snatched an unlikely win, but the New Mills keeper made some great saves to keep the final score at 1-1. Man of the match was Steve Murray who deputised at left back with grit and determination.
Druids put spell on A6 Juniors
and win 5-3 (4 November 2007)
The Druids were up for this match and they took the game to the home side from the first whistle. The first 20 minutes were pretty even, but then Jordan Cooke headed in from a corner for his first goal for the Druids. Five minutes later it was 2-0 when, again from a corner, Sam Cantor stroked the ball calmly into the goal. Just before half-time, Rick Solomons widened the margin even further with a flick into the corner of the A6 Juniors goal. Half-time 3-0 to the Druids. In the second half, the Druids made some changes and the home side managed to get a goal back. Immediately, the Druids re-took the initiative and through a penalty from Sam Jafarian, after Oliver Jones was up-ended in the penalty area, and Louis Belson on his debut for the Druids, they went ahead 5-1. Unfortunately, the Druids then took their foot of the gas and the home team pressed for some consolation goals in the remaining 10 minutes. They managed to give the score-line a better look and scored twice before the final whistle. Final score 5-3 to the Druids. Man of the Match was Alex Jackson for his great tackling in midfield.
Druids
slip up in Cup 2-4 against Deltic FC (25th November
2007)
The Druids started with an unfamiliar start-up line-up with various changes in midfield. The soggy pitch did not make for attractive football, but the visitors, Deltic FC, got to grips with it faster than the home side. After 15 minutes, the Druids failed to clear the ball and with Andrew Metzelaar wrong-footed the ball squeezed into the corner. The second visitors' goal had a strong suspicion of off-side about it, but the third was a shot from 25 yards in the top corner of the Druids goal. The Druids found themselves 3-0 down and this rang the changes in the home-side with various substitutions just before and at half-time. Chris Imiolek turned and blasted the first goal into the roof of the Deltic net and Dan Cobb got a vital touch after 10 minutes into the second half to reduce the arrears to 2-3. Game on, and the Druids now pressed for the equaliser. Various good chances were missed and the bar came to Deltic's rescue from a free-kick from Alex Jackson. A Deltic defender just headed over his own goal and Oliver Jones had a genuine call for a penalty denied. With the Druids pressing forward, Deltic were awarded a free-kick which was eventually turned in with the help of the post. Final score 4-2 to Deltic FC with a well-deserved victory on the day. The referee Neil Pennington had an extremely good day and made all the right decisions when it mattered. Man of the Match was Sam Butterworth for his tireless running at the back.
Oliver Jones and Sam Cantor shoot
Druids to top of the table against Hyde United 2-1 (21
October 2007)
In this top of the table clash, the Druids played with zest and determination from the first whistle. They created some half-chances and dangerous breakaways which put the Hyde defense under pressure early on. Hyde United also made some good moves forward and both keepers were busy in their penalty areas. After about 25 minutes, a good move on the right saw Oliver Jones wriggling through the Hyde defense and finish with a crisp shot in the corner. Some five minutes later, Jones had the ball in the net again, but this time the goal was ruled out for off-side. Hyde United were handed a life-line by the referee who awarded a controversial penalty. Druids goalkeeper Andrew Metzelaar guessed right and saved the Druids from an undeserved equaliser. Half-time 1-0 to the Druids. After some enforced changes to the back-four line, the Druids came under sustained pressure from the home side. After some high balls into the Druids' penalty area, the ball fell for a Hyde United forward who beat the Druids keeper from close range. With Sam Cantor coming on for Chris Imiolek and another re-shuffle at the back due to an injury to Dan Imiolek, the Druids pushed forward and after some good interplay upfront, the Hyde keeper spilled the ball and Sam Cantor hooked in from the edge of the box. After that it was all hands to the pump for the Druids at the back. However, Hyde United could not force an equaliser due to the resolute defending by the Druids backline. At the final whistle, the Druids celebrated a hard-fought victory which sees them climb to the top of the Division 2 table. Final score 2-1 to the Druids. Man of the Match was Oliver Jones for his tireless running upfront and his well-taken goal.
Druids make hard work of Bramhall North 1-0
(14 October 2007)
The Druids made beating an average Bramhall North side hard work and squeezed through with a late goal from Oliver Jones. Finally, one of the through balls did end up at the feet of Oliver Jones who calmly chipped the keeper to seal this poor match. The Druids were strangely out of rhythm and could not find either the killer pass or shot on target. Many half-chances went begging and the stop-start nature of the match did nothing to improve fluent play from either team. The Druids had two genuine calls for a penalty turned down and had the ball in the net twice before they scored what turned out to be the winning goal. In both instances the goals were ruled off-site and it looked like it was not going to be the Druids day. In the end, this was a thoroughly deserved win and the Druids must have been kicking themselves for not putting the result beyond Bramhall North in the first half hour. Man of the Match was Sam Jafarian for his great attitude and determination throughout the match.
Druids dominate and run out 3-1 winners against Droylsden Juniors
(7 October 2007)
The Druids totally dominated this match, but Droylsden Juniors had one shot on target which flew in from the halfway line past the bewildered Andrew Metzelaar in goal. This was exactly 30 seconds after the Druids had taken a deserved lead through Chris Imiolek. Straight from the kick-off this fluky equaliser made this game tougher than expected. The half-time score remained at 1-1. In the second half many chances were spurned by the Druids, but they finally got a break when Sam Cantor finished in the far corner from an acute angle. The third goal soon followed, when after a good interception, the ball ended up at Rick Solomons feet who made no mistake and scored with ease. The remainder of the match was played out without further chances being created and at the end of the match the Druids had run out deserved winners. Man of the Match was Rick Solomons for his tireless running and effective midfield play.
Druids wins battle of Chorley Hall Lane 5-2
(23 September 2007)
In this bad-tempered match, the Druids let the football do the talking and ran out deserved 5-2 winners. The match spilled over into several fracas on and off the pitch, mainly caused by the fierce tackles flying in on both sides. John Armitage drilled in a rebound from a corner and soon afterwards Dan Cobb headed in the second. The Druids continued to press forward and they were awarded a penalty 10 minutes before half-time. John Armitage stepped up and converted with ease. Just before the break, a mix-up in the Druids defense saw the away side pull a goal back and on the stoke of half-time the Stockport Junior Blues were awarded a penalty which was missed after a re-take. At half-time the score was 3-1 to the Druids. In the second half, the Druids scored again through Andrew Frain and then Chris Imiolek. In between, the away side were awarded two more penalties, one of which was converted. The final whistle came as a relief to all and the Druids had deservedly won the game 5-2 due to their superior football on the pitch. Man of the Match was John Armitage for his excellent attacking play.
Druids snub Woodley Albion 3-2
(16 September 2007)
The away game to Woodley Albion was never going to be an easy match. The Druids kept it tight in defense and did not give anything away in the first half. Good attacking play over both the wings created a number of half-chances for the Druids. Then 5 minutes before half-time, a clever through ball put Dan Cobb in acres of spaces which he used very well to round-off a good move. Half-time 1-0 to the Druids. The Druids never dominated and had to defend in numbers at times. However, the Druids breakaways were dangerous and Dan Cobb scored an identical second goal 10 minutes into the second half. Five minutes later and Dan Imiolek created some space for himself on the left and drilled in a left-footer in the top corner. Plain sailing it seemed, but the Druids made the last half hour hard work and they had to resort to desperate defending at times. The home side got two goals back, but there was not enough time to threaten the score-line further. In the end, the Druids ran out deserved 3-2 winners. Man of the match was Dan Cobb for his two goals and excellent running upfront.
Druids let victory slip in 2-2 draw
(9 September 2007)
The Druids started the season strongly and dominated a good A6 Juniors side. The first half was fairly even, but Dan Imiolek headed in from a corner to put the Druids in front. A controversial penalty brought the A6 Juniors level, but just before half-time, Oliver Jones rounded off a very good move on the right. On the stroke of half-time the Druids thought they had gone further in front, but the referee had just blown his whistle before the ball crossed the line. Half-time 2-1 to the Druids. In the second half, the Druids dominated and had all the chances to score further goals, but somehow the ball did not find the A6 Juniors' net. Then with 5 minutes to play the ball was hoofed up to an A6 Juniors forward, who scored from a clearly off-site position. At the final whistle the Druids felt hard done by the score-line as they did not get the victory they deserved. Final score: Druids 2 A6 Juniors 2. All the debutants made a good impression and the Druids can look forward to a successful season with the commitment and skills shown so far. Man of the Match was Dan Imiolek for a fine display at the back.
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