There was heartbreak for Dronfield Town in their fourth game of the new Northern Counties East League Division One season. A goal from Wakefield AFC’s Morgan James three minutes into added time saw the points go back up the M1 after a contest that was combative between two evenly-matched sides. Town were left to rue two gilt-edged chances in the first half against last season’s playoff semi finalists but will get a chance at immediate redemption, heading up to Wakefield for an instant rematch on Tuesday, this time in the first round of the League Cup.
The five minute mark saw Dronfield have the first of those solid opportunities. Town’s first real sortie forward saw the ball fall to Joe Pearson but he shot straight at Hagie Damba, making his debut in the Wakefield goal.
Town’s gameplan was effective with midfielder Owen Lester paying close attention to Wakefield danger man Jaydan Sandhu and as a result, the visitors had some desperate defending to do as Dronfield put in a series of challenging set pieces.
Lester almost gave Town the lead on 26 minutes. His volley from the edge of the area was beaten away to his left by Damba as Wakefield continued to lead a charmed life.
Pearson failed to connect with the ball on the half hour mark when in a good position around the six yard box but it was the visitors who finished the half with good opportunities.
Eye-catching striker Billy Mole was allowed too much time in the box on 37 minutes but failed to make a solid connection with his shot, which was easily saved by Town skipper Lewis Naylor.
The last shot of the half saw Mason Rubie curl a left footed effort from the edge of the area just wide as the teams went in level at the break.
Rubie was withdrawn for pacy striker Seb Losa at half time but it was Dronfield who continued to press. Damba had to claim at the second attempt from a testing Connor Chapell corner saving his side once again.
Lewis Naylor prevented his side from going behind on the hour mark. A Dronfield attack broke down and Mole found himself clean through on goal. Naylor narrowed the angle and made a great one-on-one save to keep the score at 0-0.
Wakefield temporarily went down to ten men when their skipper Jack Durkin was sinbinned for dissent but Dronfield were unable to capitalise.
Durkin returned from the bench as Losa won a tussle with Callum Riley down the in the corner of the pitch. His cross from the left found substitute Ben Gelder but he unbelievably put the ball wide with an open goal at his mercy.
The heartbreaking winner for the visitors came three minutes into added time. The ball arrived with Morgan James at the top of the box and Dronfield were unable to close him down as he placed a tidy finish into the bottom corner of Lewis Naylor’s goal.
There was much to commend in Dronfield’s performance against a side that will undoubtedly figure in the shake up at the end of the season. The work rate was good on a humid day and the visitors were put under the cosh for long periods; all that was lacking was the crucial final touch.
Town get a chance at immediate redemption when they travel to Wakefield on Tuesday evening, this time in the NCEL League Cup first round.
Dronfield Town: Naylor, Mike Fereday, Stewart, Lester, Mawbey, Riley, Chapell, Knight, Rhodes, Bebbington, Pearson. Subs: Rooke, Mark Fereday, Lindores, Wright, Gladwin.
Wakefield AFC: Damba, Stephen Smith, Charlton, Sandhu, Durkin, Haigh, Clayton, James, Scott Smith, Mole, Rubie. Subs: Gelder, Grove, John, Losa, McKenzie-Grey.
Attendance: 185
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