Bloods continue their great form

Droylsden took another step in the right direction regarding their promotion push with a 1-0 win over AFC Blackpool.

Another George Kattah goal just after the break was enough for the Bloods and they held off a stubborn Blackpool side.

Droylsden had beaten their visitors 4-1 in the Edward Case Cup in October, however, since then, the Mechanics had won all five games coming into Saturday’s fixture. The Bloods had also been playing well, winning six of their last seven games in all competitions.

Dave Pace’s side started strong, testing the resilience of Blackpool’s rearguard in the opening stages. In the 12th minute, Caelan Kilheeney’s cross from the right-hand side produced a fingertip save from James Whittingham. Not long after, a long-ranged effort from Harry Forshaw flashed just wide of the post.

The Bloods best chance came when Kilheeney’s cross was flicked on by Kattah to Connor Brotherton, who would have scored at the back post had it not been for a block by Blackpool captain Luke Hepple.

It was an equally fast start after the break for Droylsden, however, this time they were able to find the breakthrough. Ben Lowe slipped in Kattah, his effort was initially stopped by Whittingham, but the ball landed back at the strikers’ feet to tap home into the vacant goal.

Kattah almost scored another in the 70th minute, heading home Ben Lowe’s cross after he played a short corner with Sherriff Njie, but the referee ruled it out for offside. It did appear Kattah was onside upon second viewing, although it was a very tight call.

The visitors were unable to rally a response, largely due to the Bloods dominating possession for the majority of the game, starving Blackpool of creating any opportunities and coming away with three points.

This result keeps Droylsden in third, three points behind Nelson with two games in hand. Meanwhile league leaders Atherton LR, lost 2-0 to Darwen, now only five points ahead of the Bloods.