Report by North Derbyshire Radio’s David Bell
Despite a barnstorming finish, Dronfield Town went down to a 2-1 midweek defeat away at West Bridgford FC. On a firm, zippy pitch, West Bridgford’s Josiah Pulleston gave the hosts a 39th minute lead with an excellent finish for a half time advantage. Kian Morrison doubled their lead mid-way through the second period and it wasn’t until Arran Bovill pulled one back for Town that their game truly came alive. A lively final ten minutes ensued but it was Bridgford who held on for a largely deserved three points. Town drop one place to 12th in the UCL Division One table as a result. Chris Millington’s side now enter their final 10 games of the campaign, beginning on Saturday when playoff-chasing FCV Grace Dieu are the visitors to the Stonelow Stadium.
Dronfield started reasonably brightly. The 10th minute mark saw a teasing Matty Ord corner that resulted in some penalty area pinball. Callum Mawbey’s final close range shot was deflected out of play as the move came to an end.
A quarter of an hour had passed when Luke Walker’s header was saved by Zac Noon in the West Bridgford goal out of Kenan McKenzie-Grey’s right wing delivery.
West Bridgford had the ball in the goal on 19 minutes. Ulus Hussein’s tricky shot from distance was saved by Lewis Naylor but as the follow-up was put away, the linesman flagged for offside.
A rather turgid spell of play followed with the Dronfield bench requesting more urgency from their team and when it didn’t materialise, the Notts side capitalised.
The 39 minute mark saw Josiah Pulleston unleash a quality strike from outside the box that found the bottom corner of Lewis Naylor’s net to make it 1-0 in the hosts favour.
Bridgford found the net again before half time – a crossfield ball resulting in a goalbound header that once again was chalked off for offside.
Dronfield’s tempo increased noticeably at the start of the second half. Alex Appleyard lifted an effort over Noon in the West Bridgford goal but his attempt was headed clear by Max Shilton on the goal-line.
West Bridgford were particularly effective on the break and should have got a second on 65 minutes. Pulleston carried them forward at pace, squaring for leading scorer Elliot King, who blazed over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
They only had 6 minutes to wait for their second of the game however. Hussein was denied by a spectacular point blank save from Naylor but the ball only went as far as Kian Morrison, who smashed it home from 6 yards out to make it 2-0.
Dronfield’s better moments came towards the end of the game. Substitute Arthur Pashley’s half volley from deep crashed off the crossbar inside the final 15 minutes and with 10 minutes to go Town pulled one back.
An opportunist strike from fellow substitute Arran Bovill hit the back of the net to mark the midfielder’s tenth of the campaign with the score at 2-1.
Dronfield tried for a leveller but it wasn’t to be. Pashley’s shot hit the back stanchion with a minute remaining and a Callum Mawbey header two minutes into added time narrowly went over the bar but it was West Bridgford who claimed the three points on this occasion.
Town drop one place to 12th as a result of the loss ahead of the visit of FCV Grace Dieu to the Stonelow Stadium on Saturday. The Leicestershire-based academy outfit are 4 points off the playoffs currently and the two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw back in October.
West Bridgford: Noon, Catchpole, Shilton, Felstead, Morris, Rowley, Smith, Konteh, King, Hussein, Morrison. Subs: Bird, Amponsem, Pulleston, Clarke, Scott.
Dronfield Town: Naylor, Reardon, Simpkins, Watters, Shelbourne, Mawbey, Chapell, Appleyard, McKenzie-Grey, Walker, Ord. Subs: Pashley, Bebbington, Butchart, Bovill, Rhodes.
Attendance: 61
