Report by North Derbyshire Radio’s David Bell
It may have had a slightly ‘end of season’ air about it but Dronfield Town’s 1-1 home draw with Pinchbeck United confirmed the North Derbyshire side in 8th place in their inaugural United Counties League Division One season. An absolute rocket of a strike from Chris Simpkins gave Dronfield a 13th minute lead that was cancelled out by Pinchbeck’s Julian Ward just four minutes later. While Town had a good deal of possession, they failed to convert again and indeed had to survive a few nervy moments late in the game with Pinchbeck looking for a much-needed three points. Pinchbeck drop into the bottom three as a result and must await the annual FA allocation of leagues to see where they are playing in 2026-27. Dronfield’s turnaround from 20th in the NCEL to 8th in the UCL has been heartening to see and it will be interesting to see if they can improve further from a satisfying campaign.
The game got off to a relatively quiet opening but an impressive crowd of 253 were soon out of their seats as Dronfield took a 13th minute lead.
A 25 yard left-footed strike out of the blue from Town full back Chris Simpkins saw Joseph Douce in the Pinchbeck goal get his hand to it, but it had too much power and ended up in the top corner with the score at 1-0.
The lead was short-lived. Just four minutes later, Pinchbeck scythed through the middle of the Dronfield defence. Orin Aldridge sidefooted to Julian Ward, who steered his finish past Lewis Naylor to make it 1-1.
Buoyed by the equaliser, a persistent Aldridge found success in the final third, forcing a stop from Naylor from 9 yards out.
Dronfield reasserted themselves in terms of possession but the young Pinchbeck side continued to battle gamely. Callum Mawbey found himself unmarked for a header on 29 minutes but the referee blew for an unfair challenge on Douce in the Pinchbeck goal.
Town almost got back in front on 32 minutes. A Ryan Watters throw from the nearside saw Luke Walker’s stooping header crash against the bar but the visitors lived to breathe once more.
Right on the stroke of half time, Alex Appleyard’s inswinging corner led to saves firstly from Mawbey and then from Arthur Pashley on the follow-up as Douce came to his side’s rescue once again.
Pinchbeck, mindful that they were in need of points, came out with intent after the break. A half volley from the edge of the box two minutes after the restart by Ward saw Naylor called into action once more.
Dronfield lost the services of midfield engine room Ryan Watters on 54 minutes; Luke Cullen going into the book for a late challenge as the game turned somewhat scrappy and end-of-season like.
Things enlivened on 68 minutes when Charlie Stewart’s 25 yarder just went over the crossbar but Pinchbeck proved they were never very far away when Naylor had to save from Aldridge four minutes after.
Dronfield had a gilt-edged chance on 75 minutes. Sam Bebbington’s back header was turned over the bar at the back post by substitute Kellie Marah with the goal at his mercy.
With results not going their way elsewhere, it was Pinchbeck who pressed for a winner. Lewis Naylor had to beat away a fizzing 25 yard drive from substitute Oliver Callaby on 81 minutes and deep into added time, Josh Balding’s half volley narrowly skipped past Naylor’s left hand post from the edge of the box.
The point saw Dronfield end the season with a nine game unbeaten run and confirm their position in outright 8th place in the table. Their first season in the UCL has not been without its ups and downs but the strong ending to the campaign suggests that there could be much more to come from the North Derbyshire outfit in 2026-27.
Dronfield Town: Naylor, Butchart, Simpkins, Watters, Stewart, Mawbey, Appleyard, Bovill, Bebbington, Walker, Pashley. Subs: Marah, Ord, Chapell, Rhodes, Reardon.
Pinchbeck United: Douce, Stevens, Balding, Melson, Simpson, Cranfield, Aldridge, Henderson, Foster, Cullen, Ward. Subs: Haywood, Keating, Panton, Callaby.
Attendance: 253
