A calamitous afternoon at the HE Barnes Stadium saw Dronfield Town go down by 9-1 at the hands of second-placed Wombwell Town. Dronfield had already gone two behind when skipper and goalkeeper Lewis Naylor was sent from the field for handling outside his area. Wombwell ran in a further three goals by half time before adding another three after the break. Young striker Harry Marsh got a consolation for Dronfield late in the game as Wombwell scored their ninth in added time. The tough run of games continues for Dronfield as they wrap up 2024 with a trip to Worsbrough Bridge Athletic, currently unbeaten in their last 12 games in the league.
Dronfield found themselves playing into gale-force winds for the first half and were soon under pressure from high-flying Wombwell. Defensive blocks on the Wellers’ Josh Nodder were required as early as the third minute as the tone for the game was set.
Wombwell got their first in the 12th minute. Owen Sykes long throw from the left led to a scramble in the 6 yard box as striker Jordan Kershaw wheeled away with his hand in the air having forced the ball home at close quarters.
Dronfield’s sole shot of the half saw Joe Pearson’s low effort pushed to his left by Charlie Preston as Wombwell soon claimed their second. An impressive move down the left resulted in Jack Wilson’s cross being forced home by the outstretched boot of Kershaw to double the visitors lead.
The game turned completely on 29 minutes. Dronfield captain and keeper Lewis Naylor handled outside his area and after discussion between the referee and his linesman, was sent from the field with a straight red card. Sam Bebbington went in goal for Town, now facing an uphill task with 10 men.
Wombwell’s third came on 38 minutes. Bebbington did well to tip away a goal-bound 25 yard effort from Daniel Patterson. From the resulting corner however, Dronfield’s Callum Riley unfortunately headed into his own goal at 0-3.
Wombwell got two more before the interval. On 40 minutes, Jason Paling received the ball on the right edge of the box and fired his low shot into the net to make it 4-0.
Then, on the stroke of half time, Bebbington was beaten to a cross by Charlie Rogerson, whose header found the back of the net despite Tom Gladwin’s frantic attempt to clear the ball.
Dronfield made half time substitutions, bringing on Alex Appleyard and Arran Bovill for Jake Hatton and Max Rhodes, who had taken a knock but a measure of pride was all they could hope for in the second half.
Wombwell’s sixth goal came on 54 minutes. The ball was stood up from the right flank and Wombwell skipper Jack Dando had the easiest of tasks to head home unchallenged.
Kershaw got his hat-trick on 62 minutes. His acrobatic overhead kick saw him get his third of the game and Wombwell’s seventh as the rout continued.
The eighth came on 64 minutes. Bebbington clipped Kershaw in the area as he bore down on goal with the referee pointing to the penalty spot. Bebbington got his hand to Owen Sykes’ spot kick but it still hit the net to make it 8-0.
Dronfield’s trio of Under 21 substitutes all made it on to the field and in the 89th minute, one of them got a consolation goal for the hosts. Sheer persistence from Harry Marsh saw him win the ball from the Wombwell defence and produce a very calm finish to make the score 8-1.
Sadly, Wombwell weren’t finished there and one minute into added time, substitute Nick Guest volleyed in to make the final score 9-1.
Despite the defeat, Dronfield remain in 19th place in the NCEL Division One table, albeit level on points with 20th placed Louth Town. That the Derbyshire side are in a relegation battle is quite clear and things don’t get any easier for them as they wrap up 2024 at in-form South Yorkshire outfit Worsbrough Bridge next weekend.
Dronfield Town: Naylor, Riley, Stewart, Ord, Gladwin, Hatton, Chapell, Lindores, Rhodes, Bebbington, Pearson. Subs: Flower, Bovill, Appleyard, Marsh, Wing.
Wombwell Town: Preston, Paling, Sykes, Patterson, Dando, Fieldsend, Rogerson, Wilson, Reece, Kershaw, Nodder. Subs: Guest, Youel, Vamplew.
Attendance: 108
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