Match Report: Thornton Cleveleys 3-1 Droylsden

Droylsden suffered their first league defeat in seven games on Saturday, beaten 3-1 by Thornton Cleveleys.

The Bloods have had mixed results on the road this season as all three clubs above them picked up points.

It took 19 minutes for the home side to open the scoring, as Archie Lang drove into the left side of Droylsden’s penalty area where Tommy Dollin met his cutback with a smart flick to beat Jordan Latham in goal.

The Bloods, as they have done for much of this season caused a threat down the flanks with their pace and slick passing but were unable to create any clear chances as Thornton did well to defend the incoming crosses.

Although Droylsden continued to ask questions, it was the home side who grabbed the second goal, as Oliver Wilkinson’s low driven shot found its way into the bottom left corner.

Dave Pace’s side did pull one back before halftime, Fuad Kasalai picking up a loose ball from a corner before gliding past several Thornton players and firing a left-footed strike into the near post for his third goal of the season.

Shaquille Lewys and Sheriff Njie both came on at halftime to offer more attacking threat for Droylsden, but it came to no avail as the visitors were unable to complete the comeback in the second half.

The hosts sealed the win just before stoppage time when Wilkinson’s long ball caught out an overly committed Droylsden from a corner, playing in Bill Cartmell to make it 3-1.

From the ten points Droylsden have dropped this season, eight have come away from home, which will need to improve should they look to challenge for the title and gain automatic promotion out of the division.