Dronfield Town were involved in a six goal thriller but unfortunately lost out by 4-2 away at Wakefield AFC. With Featherstone Rovers’ Millennium Stadium as the backdrop, both sides put on an exhibition that any neutral would have been delighted to watch. Wakefield led at half time through Billy Mole and Daniel Hernandez with Tom Gladwin getting Dronfield’s reply. The home side took a 3-1 lead through Jaydan Sandhu early in the second half and when Callum Mawbey pulled one back for Dronfield, it looked like they would go on and at least get a share of the spoils. However, a Jake Morrison goal four minutes from time meant the three points stayed in West Yorkshire.
Dronfield suffered an early blow when the lively Billy Mole gave Wakefield the lead. Just five minutes had elapsed when Mole beat the offside trap and slotted home with his left foot when one on one with Town keeper Lewis Naylor.
Dronfield looked at their most threatening when camped in the Wakefield half and on 14 minutes Stuart Hill headed on to the bar after good work from wide man Matty Ord.
Naylor was forced to acrobatically tip over from Mole on 26 minutes but it was the visitors who got back on level terms 8 minutes later.
Dronfield always looked threatening from set pieces and another testing corner from the left boot of Connor Chapell found Tom Gladwin at the far post, who was able to force the ball home from close range to make it 1-1.
Level terms only lasted for three minutes as Wakefield managed to get themselves back in front. A cross from the left was met by the head of Daniel Hernandez. As the ball went goal-bound, Stuart Hill intervened with his hand, the ball eventually nestling in the back of the net. The referee debated what course of action to take and eventually decided on a yellow card for Hill and the award of the goal to Wakefield.
Dronfield came out with intent at the start of the second half; Sam Bebbington firing into the side netting after being played in by a useful ball from Arran Bovill.
Despite the good start, Wakefield took a 3-1 lead shortly after. Mike Fereday did his best to intervene when Wakefield broke but he was only able to deflect the ball into the path of Mole who squared for Jaydan Sandhu to tap home.
Tensions rose in the 68th minute when Max Elliott forced Sam Bebbington to the floor, sparking a melee that eventually saw Elliott and Naylor receiving yellow cards for their trouble.
This sparked Town into life as they pulled one back almost immediately. Ord’s ball in from the left was flicked on by Bovill and fired home by the in-form Callum Mawbey for his 7th goal of the season.
Dronfield were in rampant mood thereafter and Wakefield had their goalkeeper Henry Kendrick to thank that their visitors didn’t at least level matters. He made an outstanding stop on the line from a Bovill header on 77 minutes and pulled off another point blank save four minutes later as Dronfield did everything except score.
Dronfield’s failure to convert came back to bite them as Wakefield got a fourth and decisive goal four minutes from time. A Dronfield player appeared to be fouled in the build up but unfortunately Gladwin slipped on the heavy surface which allowed substitute Jake Morrison the simplest of finishes to make it 4-2.
That Dronfield had played their part in hugely entertaining encounter was scant reward for their efforts but there were many positives to take from a hard-working and committed performance. Similar traits will be needed next Saturday when fourth placed Rossington Main are the visitors to the HE Barnes Stadium.
Wakefield AFC: Kendrick, Pilkington, Craig, Curran, Woodward, Elliott, Booth, Youel, Hernandez, Mole, Sandhu. Subs: Horridge, Morrison, Butcher, Blankey, Rubie.
Dronfield Town: Naylor, Riley, Gladwin, Mike Fereday, Hill, Wright, Chapell, Bovill, Mawbey, Bebbington, Ord. Subs: Rooke, Mark Fereday, Lester, Lindores, Pearson.
Attendance: 178
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