We all stand together: GOALS AND RED CARDS

DRONFIELD TOWN 4 SOUTH LEEDS 1

NCEFL 1 AT STONELOW ROAD

27 JULY 2024 --- 3PM

DRONFIELD TOWN V SOUTH LEEDS AS BENJAMIN AGU TAKES ON THE HOME DEFENCE

Five goals, three red cards and ninety minutes of July football what more could you want? Well I guess South Leeds would be quite happy to have taken a rain check on their NCEFL debut which was a real eye opener to this league and for Dronfield Town a community club with a steady improvement over their time since their own advancement from the former CMFL a first day always win goes down well.

GOOD START TO THE SEASON

With recent seasons wet weather including last seasons near disaster for the lower echelons of non league the two local leagues The NCEFL and The UCL both opted to start over this weekend and so an early apology note to local cricket had to be submitted. The chance to take a look at newly promoted South Leeds, formerly Middleton, playing now out of the South Leeds Stadium was an additional pull. Did I mention the pre match fish and chips from The Jolly Friar oh yes they had a baring too. Having visited this emporium in its various guises over the years I found an admittedly increasingly expensive meal well worth the visit again though. This remains one of the problems with sticking local for games because you tend to know where the good chip shops are and so avoid the others, well The Jolly Friar is still in the former and to be fair I could attend all Dronfield games just on that guideline alone.

EARLY SEASON PRE MATCH REPAIRS AS BILLY WRIGHT GETS A LIFT UP FROM LEWIS NAYLOR

The day had started bright and sunny but by kick off there was an overcast feel to it but thankfully the forecast thundery showers failed to materialise.

South Leeds looked resplendent in a busy kit containing three main colours and a visit to The South Leeds Stadium their new home will thrill many hoppers especially so with its gigantic double tiered stand. Thankfully I visited a fair few years ago when I think it still had the moniker of the John Charles Stadium, its only downside is of course its running track and distance from the pitch.

THOUGHTFUL TIMES ON THE VISITORS BENCH

It would appear South Leeds were without a few players and I guess many clubs will be with holidays etc as a result of this early start but needs must to complete this season in hopefully a more regimented form than the last one for clubs, players, officials and supporters.

As ever the afternoon brought on some engagement with a few people at the game and this is always the pleasure of the non league game with people travelling in from the most obscure of places. Including a gentleman from Grantham who had originally come up to see Sheffield FC v Matlock in a pre season game that was postponed so he thankfully found this game and was delighted with the find. To add further interest his sporting weekend continued with a stay locally overnight before rugby league at Sheffiel Eagles on the Sunday.

Also in attendance was Mr W of the Woodseats Parish resplendent in his sunglasses often the fixture of many a celebrity who doesn't want to be recognised but only succeeds in being recognised by wearing them. Anyway as ever it was good to catch up so early in the season with a fellow promoter of the good things about non league.

GLITTERATI IN THE STAND SUNGLASSES TO AVOID RECOGNITION BUT WE SEE YOU

Game wise then it couldn't really have started worse for the visitors when they went behind on the quarter of an hour mark Max Rhodes powering his shot past Chris Barrow who got something on it but could not keep the ball out of the net.

The early exchanges were not of the most thrilling and South Leeds were struggling to put anything together and looked hopefully to keeping the score line down and maybe just getting back into the game on a break away. On the plus side the first half an hour did contain more forward passing than the whole of the England Euro finals campaign.

The visitors did get that lifeline when they were awarded a penalty on 31 minutes after the Dronfield defender dived into the challenge and left referee Elliot Lajarige little choice, Billy Law fired home into the bottom corner with confidence.

The visitors could not hold until half time though as Dronfield re gained the lead four minutes before the break with a wonderfully struck free kick from Charlie Stewart.

BILLY LAW READY TO TAKE ON THE HOME DEFENCE

The opening exchanges of the second half saw the visitors presented with a glorious opportunity of drawing level again when Bnejamin Agu found himself in a one on one with home keeper Lewis Naylor who denied the frontman.

Then in a game that had shown no malice or naughtiness it all exploded in front of the Dronfield dug out from what looked like the chance of South Leeds being denied the chance to get the ball back for a throw in and then the resultant released ball was thrown at a player and the whole incident rose to involve most players having a closer look. The initial melee saw the referee show a red card to the visitors substitute Kieran Telford but no sooner had this been shown than the coming together started again. After consultation with both of his assistants further red cards went to South Leeds Khamis Jacob and Nick Siddons of the home management team. There was also a caution for Naylor the home sides keeper. With just ten minutes gone of the second period this left the visitors with nine men and when Dronfield extended their lead just beyond the hour mark little chance of coming back.

HANDS UP

That third goal came from a sharp cross off the right was converted in front of goal by Rhodes for his second. The visitors worked increasingly hard to defend their goal and protect any over run of the score although at times Dronfield did seem to take their foot off the gas a little and some over elaborate play stopped them adding a collection of potential goals.

They had to settle for substitute Mark Fereday adding a fourth who with seven minutes remaining danced to the edge of the box and was given the space and time to fire low into the visitors goal.

MAX RHODES ON THE ATTACK FOR DRONFIELD

The final whistle brought handshakes all round and both sides seemed calm but more importantly the visitors scratching their heads at what had happened in a strange moment that saw their numbers reduced in a game that had never threatened that incident both before and after the incident.

I guess they would be unhappy with their debut on a day I'm sure they had so looked forward to but they have a chance in midweek against Horbury to put this result right. This league though is one of the strongest and you soon realise how difficult it is sadly South Leeds had the red cards and goals inflicting a defeat on them that may not have been anywhere near as bad with a full compliment of players.

THE INITAL COMING TOGETHER

Dronfield could not really have asked for more in their now second decade in the NCEFL they have developed cautiously and admirably for a community based club that I find so welcoming to visit. Three points is three points and second place after the first game will be taken by any club non more so than Dronfield who look to improve on last seasons eleventh placed finish.

KIERAN TELFORD FIRST TO SEE RED

A busy afternoon around Stonelow Road with two cricket matches also taken place had given the sporting public of the area a feat of entertainment it was though good to see a nice crowd for Town in an official attendance of 148 something else that has also steadily increased and well deserved. Look forward to revisiting this season soon..........fish and chips anybody.