Report by North Derbyshire Radio’s David Bell
Dronfield Town’s opening game of the 2026-27 United Counties League Division One season drew a thrilling seven goals but unfortunately, the North Derbyshire side went down at league newcomers Cotgrave FC by 4-3. Last season’s Notts Senior League champions went ahead through Leo Almond on 11 minutes before a Matty Ord strike levelled for Town just before the half hour. Ord’s goal signalled the first of three in three minutes as Lewis Robertson put Cotgrave ahead from the spot before Aston Thompson levelled once again for Dronfield. Almond got his second on the stroke of half time and completed his hat-trick with 27 minutes to go. Callum Mawbey made it 4-3 and set up an intriguing final ten minutes but it wasn’t to be for Town on this occasion. Chris Millington’s side welcome Pinchbeck United to the Stonelow Stadium for their first home game next Saturday.
A pitch that was parched from the hot weather and a stiff crossfield breeze greeted both sides as the game got underway. Cotgrave took the initiative on 11 minutes when Leo Almond was afforded too much time at the edge of the box and slid his low shot past Lewis Naylor to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
Matty Ord had a twenty yard right-footed free kick beaten away to his right hand side by Cotgrave stopper Jamie Birch as Dronfield finally made their mark on the encounter. Indeed, it was Ord who levelled matters on 29 minutes.
He received the ball out on the left and unleashed a shot that took a deflection but hit the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Ord’s strike signalled the first of three goals in three minutes in a crazy passage of play. Two minutes later, Ryan Watters was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box and received a yellow card for his trouble. Lewis Robertson planted his spot kick past Naylor to give Cotgrave a 2-1 advantage.
Dronfield levelled once again within a minute. A corner won over on the far side of the pitch saw new signing Aston Thompson climb above everyone at the far post to head home with the score at 2-2.
An incident-laden first 45 minutes saw more drama right on the stroke of half time. Dronfield custodian Lewis Naylor came from his goal to clear the ball but in hesitating, allowed Almond to nip in and stroke it into the empty net to make it 3-2.
Cotgrave also dominated the opening stages of the second half and it was no surprise when they got their fourth of the afternoon on 63 minutes. Skipper Ryan Smith got out on the break for the Nottinghamshire side and squared to Almond, who sidefooted home for his hat-trick.
Dronfield introduced youngsters Callum Martin, Jack Worrall and Matt Leader from the bench, which resulted in an improved performance. Indeed, Town pulled a goal back on 79 minutes to set up an intriguing close to the contest.
Max Rhodes’ persistence won another Dronfield corner and from the set piece, Callum Mawbey was on hand to plant his header into the back of the net with the scoreline at 4-3.
Try as they might, Dronfield couldn’t force an equaliser and were left to rue a defensive display that fell somewhat short of their usual expectations. Town take their home bow next Saturday 1st August when Lincolnshire-based Pinchbeck United, who drew 2-2 on opening day against Radford FC, are the visitors to the Stonelow Stadium for a 3pm kick off.
Cotgrave FC: Birch, Price, Rafferty, Hogg, Head, Cooke, Upton, Robertson, Smith, Moore, Almond. Subs: Donaldson, Lake, Read, Paz, Perry.
Dronfield Town: Naylor, Reardon, Simpkins, Appleyard, Thompson, Mawbey, Chapell, Watters, Rhodes, Bebbington, Ord. Subs: Martin, Leader, Worrall, Walker, Bovill.
Attendance: 251
