Shaw Lane Aquaforce boss Craig Elliott believed Dronfield were worthy 3-1 winners last night
Shaw Lane Aquaforce spurned the chance to go second in the Toolstation NCEL Division One table as Dronfield Town inflicted the first defeat on them since Craig Elliott took charge.
The game began so well for third-placed Aquaforce after Jason St Juste’s corner flew straight into the net inside the opening two minutes. But, a speculative effort from Dan Wood drew Dronfield level and he then put them ahead in the second half.
Shaw Lane’s response was poor and a late Stephen Whitehead penalty sealed a deserved and memorable victory for the Derbyshire-based team and Aquaforce manager Elliott was honest in his assessment of his side’s performance.
“Dronfield played well and I think we lost a bit of confidence (when we conceded) and that has happened in every time we have conceded,” he said.
“In every game I have taken charge of we have set off really well in the first 20-25 minutes and when others teams have scored against us it has took us a while to get going.
“Until they scored I felt we were totally in control and comfortable. I have no complaints tonight though. They have come here as the away team and soaked up some pressure and scored a few breakaway goals.
“They defended well, but I’m disappointed that in the last 25 minutes we didn’t throw everything at them.”
Aquaforce did have key players missing. Highly-rated Gary Stohrer was absent due to Leeds Met University commitments, John Cyrus was ruled out with a dead leg and Danny Patterson was struggling.
Gary Stohrer missed Shaw Lane’s 3-1 defeat to Dronfield because of University commitments
Patterson did make the bench and the midfielder came on as a substitute in the second half.
The trio’s absences were clear as the game wore on as Shaw Lane made an impressive start. Recent signing St Juste’s corner from the right totally bamboozled goalkeeper Nick Siddons and the ball landed in the far corner with the help of the post.
Second place looked a certainty at this point. Aquaforce imposed themselves on the game by causing further problems from more corners and another new face Niall O’Brien’s long throw missiles. The home side also had a Simon Baldry header harshly ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.
Elliott’s men were controlling possession until a sucker punch close to the half-hour mark. Thirty-yards from goal on the left wing, the ball fell nicely for Wood and he hit a sweet volley with enough height and power to beat Jamie Green.
The equaliser rocked Shaw Lane and Nick Horsfield wasted a golden opportunity to put Dronfield in front before the break. However, he redeemed himself six minutes into the second half.
Dronfield launched a counter attack and it was Horsfield’s pass that allowed Wood to hit a 25-yard low drive past Green.
Aquaforce’s response was flat and Elliott brought on Patterson and prolific goalscorer Ashley Flynn to try and inject life into his team.
Unfortunately they could not. Dronfield dealt with every Shaw Lane attack and the home side’s inability to test goalkeeper Siddons cost them.
And with the game entering its last third, Dronfield ensured that the three points would be coming home with them.
After referee Jamie Waters awarded a penalty for handball against O’Brien, Whitehead smashed the spot kick down the middle of the goal to crown the win.
Patterson was cautioned for giving his verdict on the decision as Whitehead celebrated.
The midfielder’s frustrations summed up a bad night for Aquaforce, one that could have enabled them to go second and have the chance to reach top spot on Saturday at current leaders Bottesford Town.
Saturday now becomes a must-win game just to maintain the pace with Bottesford and Cleethorpes rather than a chance to pull away.
Shaw Lane Aquaforce: Green, Grace (Patterson 68), St Juste, Swift, Danville (captain), O’Brien, Reece, Haigh (Flynn 68), Frost, Baldry, (Burgess 83), Kelsey. Subs unused: Fawcus, Whitehouse.
Dronfield Town: Siddons, Carnall, Butler, Rawson, Mintoff, Hill, Whitehead, Clarke, Naylor (Doran 73), Horsfield (Gange 60), Wood. Sub unused: Whire.
Referee: J Waters (West Yorkshire)
Ref Rating: 7/10
Attendance: TBC
Man of the match: Tom Carnall (Dronfield Town)