Report by North Derbyshire Radio’s David Bell
They left it late but Dronfield Town came out with a very creditable point against third-placed FCV Grace Dieu in their latest United Counties League Division One fixture. Town shook off the loss of keeper Lewis Naylor, having to put regular outfield player Callum Mawbey between the sticks, to take the game to the Leicestershire outfit. Alex Appleyard gave Dronfield a 16th minute lead in an excellent first half display only for Grace Dieu to fight back in the second with goals from Farah Abdi and Ahmed Ahmed. The introduction of substitute Arran Bovill was to prove crucial as the midfielder claimed an outstanding game leveller two minutes into added time to send Chris Millington’s men back up the M1 to Derbyshire with a richly-deserved share of the spoils.
FCV started the game confidently on their home 3G surface as you might expect. Cornelious Olijade-Uriono’s header at the back post from a right wing cross after only 4 minutes failed to trouble Town’s stand-in keeper Callum Mawbey and three minutes later, Zhani Burgess’ right footer from the edge of the box flashed over the crossbar.
Dronfield remained resolute despite the early chances and took the lead on 16 minutes. Arthur Pashley’s cross from the left was met by a leaping Alex Appleyard, whose well-directed header hit the back of the net to put Town a goal to the good.
Dronfield grew in confidence from the goal. Max Rhodes cut in from the left hand side to force Michael Emery in the FCV goal to make a low save and shortly after, Arthur Pashley followed suit; his dipping shot just missing Emery’s far post on this occasion.
It was notable that Dronfield’s defensive play had been so effective that it took until the 39th minute for stand-in keeper Mawbey to be called truly into action and when he did, he came out to punch clear with confidence.
There were warning signs for Town right at the end of the opening 45 minutes. Suleiman Nassor put himself in the clear for Grace Dieu but blasted his shot clean over the bar when he really should have hit the target.
Dronfield suffered the blow of Max Rhodes picking up a knock five minutes into the second half to be replaced by the returning Luke Walker.
FCV applied further pressure to get themselves back into the contest. The 58th minute mark saw Mawbey making a useful save to his left hand side from a Spencer Weir-Daley shot and only a minute after, the hosts got back on level terms.
A scramble in the six yard box saw Farah Abdi poking the ball home from millimetres out to make it 1-1.
Grace Dieu had the ball in the net on 69 minutes through Weir-Daley but he was adjudged to be in an offside position as the hosts pressed for a lead.
That lead came on 77 minutes. Left sided defender Ahmed Ahmed found himself in an advanced position and judged the bounce well to connect with the ball and send it into the top corner past Mawbey to make it 2-1.
Dronfield introduced substitutes Arran Bovill, Mike Fereday and Mark Fereday and it was to prove crucial in securing a well-deserved point.
Bovill won a vital tackle and burst forward in trademark fashion before skilfully rounding Emery in the FCV goal and tapping the ball into the empty net to send Dronfield into raptures.
Dronfield remain in 13th position in the table following the performance that was a marked improvement on the previous two fixtures. Next up for Town on Tuesday are Southwell City, currently 17th in the standings but travelling to Stonelow with a useful 1-1 draw against leaders Retford FC under their belt from the weekend.
FCV Grace Dieu: Emery, Burgess, Ahmed, Merrick, Abdi, Lindley, Tune, Nabay, Olijade-Uriono, Weir-Daley, Nassor. Subs: Halliday, Farouq, Linden, Brooks, Butterfill.
Dronfield Town: Mawbey, Vardy, Stewart, Ord, Shelbourne, Turner, Chapell, Appleyard, Rhodes, Bancroft, Pashley. Subs: Mike Fereday, Hatton, Mark Fereday, Walker, Bovill.
Attendance: 77
