A very sorry Druids side this weekend. Only 9 players + a reserve goalkeeper which meant goalie Andrew Metzelaar was playing at left back. Scores of injured players and those that suddenly had to meet their Nan or Gran over the weekend. It all seemed to indicate a possible heavy loss, but the game turned out differently. With a make-shift side and most players in unfamiliar positions, the Druids actually held their own for most of this match and managed to come back from a 2-0 deficit at half-time. Goals were conceded from first a rebound from the post and good follow-up by Timperley and then a doggy penalty for an apparent push in the back. Disheartened the Druids started the second half, but almost immediately were awarded a penalty when Elliott Howarth was impeded in the box. Chris Imiolek scored via the post and keeper's body. Some 10 minutes later, a through-ball was pounced on by Chris Imiolek and somehow the ball ended up high in the net. 2-2 and the Druids were easily holding on. If only we had some of our regulars now!  The rest of the half saw some half-chances on either side, until 2 minutes from time, when a Timperley forward, in an off-site position, ran at and hit the Druids' goalie. Unfortunately, the rebounding ball hit Scott Lewis and ended up in the Druids' goal. An own goal and somewhat against the run of play, even with 10 players. There was not enough time to recover from this set-back and the match finished with the score 3-2 to Timperley. Heartbreak but no disgrace and the Druids can take heart from this defeat and hope some regular players will recover in the next 3 weeks for the last few matches of the season.

The Druids completely outplayed a poor Woodley Albion team and the score-line flattered the home side. It could have easily been more, as apart from the goals, a number of good chances were missed. Nobody is going to grumble however, and even without Rick Solomons in midfield and Scott Lewis at the back, the Druids were comfortable throughout the entire  match. The Druids got off the mark as early as the second minute when Chris Imiolek floated in a free-kick which was headed in by Jo Traynor. The Druids then rushed their passing upfront and missed a number of good opportunities. The Druids' forwards were caught off-side countless times and this kept the score-line at a respectable level. Some 10 minutes before half-time, Ryan Jones slotted in the ball at the second attempt and this was quickly followed by a goal from Elliott Howarth who stole in at the centre to deflect the ball past the Woodley keeper. Half-time 3-0 to the Druids. Within minutes in the second half, the Druids were further ahead through Jo Traynor and Elliott Howarth. Woodley Albion then got a goal back from a well-taken corner which was headed in at the far post. Back came the Druids and further goals from Jo Traynor, Elliott Howarth and Chris Imiolek made the final score 9-1 to the Druids. Scores today were: Jo Traynor (4), Elliott Howarth (3), Ryan Jones, Chris Imiolek.

The Druids steamrolled over Chinley Juniors today, but it took them half-an-hour to get going on a bumpy pitch. Once the first goal went in through John Armitage, the floodgates opened. Rick Solomons glanced a header for 2-0 and then drilled in his second in the far corner for the half-time score of 3-0 to the Druids. In the second half it was one-way traffic and the Druids were lining up to get their name on the score sheet. Unfortunately for Chinley they scored the fourth themselves and Ryan Jones then walked through the Chinley defense to tap in at the far corner. 5-0 and the Druids then made some changes but still the goals kept coming. Max Petch finally scored after doing much running and putting in crosses and so got his just reward. The Druids missed a lot of chances with the goal begging, but still managed to increase the score to 8-1 through Jack Brown with a fine shot from distance and Rick Solomons completed his hat-trick when his cross from the right found the goal instead. Chinley scored a good goal themselves beating the Druids goalie from an acute angle. Final score 8-1 to the Druids.

The less said about this match, the better. Why the league insists on playing during the half-term break, we'll never know. Without 6 regulars, the Druids would struggle today and they did. In fact it is a miracle the Druids fielded a full team. Bramhall played the long ball effectively while the Druids got bogged down with short passing in midfield. Bramhall opened the score in the 2nd minute when a hesitant Druids defense allowed a shot at goal which beat stand-in goalkeeper Lewis. Things got from bad to worse shortly thereafter when from a corner the ball slipped into the Druids' net. The Druids then got going themselves and they should have had two goals themselves. Firstly, Chris Imiolek missed from 3 yards and then Jack Brown missed a header from 1 yard out. The Druids came to rue these missed chances as the Druids keeper failed to anticipate a cross which was neatly tucked in a the far post. Half-time 3-0 to Bramhall. it was more of the same in the second half with Bramhall hitting long balls at the Druids' defense to which they had no answer today. In disarray the Druids let in two more goals before Max Petch scored a consolation goal from a header close to full-time. Jack Brown hit the inside of the post and further Druids' chances went begging. Full-time 5-1 to Bramhall North. Not a day to remember but even with 6 reserves, the remainder of the Druids' squad played well under their usual standards.

Man of the Match was Jordan Gray who never stopped running

Sloping pitch, muddy and cold would describe the venue at Bollington United. Nevertheless, the team that would handle the conditions best would prevail on the day. The Druids were quick out of the starting blocks and attacked with menace. A number of chances were created, but the Druids' forwards were rusty after a long lay-off and could not find the target. Ryan Jones had a great chance from a header but hit the top of the bar. Chris Imiolek's efforts suffered a similar fate with the ball drifting over the bar. The Druids completely dominated play but could not find the break-through they deserved. Finally after half an hour Jo Traynor got the ball on the right, was brought down but stayed on his feet to score the opening goal. 1-0 to the Druids. Bollington attacked sporadically and from a harmless tussle in the Druids' box, the referee awarded a penalty to Bollington which even astounded the Bollington manager. Bollington equalised from the spot for 1-1.This was also the half-time score. After the break, the Druids kept pressing and they were rewarded with a good individual goal from Chris Imiolek who slotted in from the left. A few minutes later and again Chris Imiolek was in the right spot to head in a cross from the left. 3-1 and cruising. The Druids made a number of changes and halfway through the second half Chris Imiolek unleashed a shot that dipped over the Bollington keeper for 4-1. Legs than began to tire and play became somewhat disorganised. Bollington had a good spell and pressed for a goal. This duly arrived 5 minutes from the end when a stinging shot from the right deceived Druids goalie Andrew Metzelaar at the near post. Final score 4-2 to the Druids. Everybody gave their all and some training is urgently needed to get everybody to full fitness.

The Druids went into this match with a bare 11 squad and most players' fitness was called into question. Timperley looked more lively throughout the match and ran out deserved winners. The Druids started brightly, but their enthusiasm slowly disappeared and Timperley slowly took hold of the game. With a make-shift team, the Druids tried their best, but with players in unfamiliar positions this game was always going to be difficult. Timperley threatened on occasion, but keeper Andrew Metzelaar did not have any tricky shots to stop. It came down to some basic defensive errors to get Timperley in front. The first goal came after 25 minutes and Andrew Frain's late challenge just came to late to avoid the ball being slotted in from close range. For the second goal, Jordan Gray lost possession in midfield and the ball was then crossed into the six yard box where a Timperley forward had the simplest task to score their second goal. Half-time 2-0 to Timperley Villa. In the second half the Druids found some renewed energy and managed to pull a goal back. John Armitage was the scorer after good interplay upfront. The Druids then had a good spell and an equaliser looked on the cards. However, the Druids suffered a number of injuries and Rick Solomons had to leave the pitch unable to continue. Shortly after that Timperley increased their lead from a cross after good play on the left. This goal knocked the stuffing out of the Druids and both John Armitage and Jo Traynor suffered cramp but continued. Without a solid midfield, the Druids found it difficult to put their game together and Timperley attacked at will. That the final score finally stuck on 4-1 was mainly due to poor finishing from Timperley and some good saves from the Druids' keeper. To their credit, the Druids never gave up and kept battling. Not having any substitutes did not help while Timperley had fresh players to throw into the match and this ultimately made the difference between the two teams today.

This was a very even game with neither side deserving victory. The frost had cleared up and the pitch was heavy but playable. With a full squad, the Druids started brightly and carved out some half chances. But like the rest of the afternoon they did not get the rub of the green or any decisions from the ref in their favour. On a rare breakaway, Mountfield got the ball on the right and although the first shot was saved, a Mountfield forward scored from the rebound. 1-0 and slightly against the run of play. Both Elliott Howarth and John Armitage went close, but a deserved equaliser eluded the Druids. Play was bitty and uncontrolled on both sides and a number of decisions went against the Druids with dissent brewing on both sides. Half-time came and went at 1-0 to Mountfield. In the second half, the Druids stepped up the pace with Mounfield relying on long balls to their forwards. Finally from a Ryan Jones throw-in, Jordan Gray managed to squeeze the ball in at the second attempt. The Druids then had a good spell and there looked to be only one likely winner.Mountfield had a few let-offs where the Druids just could not force the ball over the line. Ryan Jones had a fantastic chance with only the keeper to beat, but shot straight at him. Scott Lewis went on a dazzling run and was upended in the box. No penalty said the ref and gave a free-kick just outside the area instead. Then from some sloppy play by the Druids, Mountfield scored from a corner. It was unclear what went on in the box, but eventually the ball dribbled over the line with keeper Andrew Metzelaar impeded and it was unclear who got the last touch. In the remaining minutes the Druids tried to get back on level terms, but time just ran out. Overall, Mountfield seemed to want it more today and this together with below par performances from most of the Druids made for a miserable afternoon and one to forget quickly.

It was a miracle this game was on, mainly due to the fact that this was a private pitch and not subject to a council ruling. The pitch was good, but soggy, and the rain came down steadily to make for an unpleasant afternoon. The Druids started brightly and pressed from the start. Appleton was playing with 5 at the back which made life difficult for the Druids' forwards. The Druids had a number of key players missing, notably Chris Imiolek upfront and Alex Jackson in midfield. The Druids passed the ball about and dominated the first half without scoring. At the other end, one of the few corners awarded to Appleton saw them scoring from a corner which was punched clear but followed up without a Druids' challenge. So, against the run of play 1-0 down and frustration set in. The referee gave the Druids nothing this afternoon and a well-tempered match turned into a contentious one with both sides getting more and more irritated by decisions against them. The Druids had 8 corners in the first half, but could not capitalise on any of them. Nav Bani missed a sitter to equalise and Jo Traynor side-footed and missed from 5 yards when he should have blasted the ball in the goal. Half-time 1 - 0 to Appleton Boys. The second half got off with the save game pattern, but with 10 minutes gone, Scott Lewis miscued a clearance and the ball fell kindly for an Appleton forward to score with ease. Ryan Jones was booked and lucky to stay on the pitch after a second bookable offence went unpunished. Two Appleton players were rightly booked together with Jo Traynor for tackles. The Druids lost their shape and discipline and pushed forward for goals. But it was not their day and the Appleton keeper was in excellent form. With the Druids pushing up, the defense left holes at the back and the Appleton forwards took advantage with quick breakaways. At 4 - 0 the score-line seemed unreal, but despite the huffing and puffing, the Druids just could not score today. Appleton scored a fifth goal towards the end from a clearly off-site position to rub salt into the Druids' wounds. Clearly a match to forget quickly and move on to the more serious business of the league.

Despite all the rain, the match was played on a decent pitch and even the sun came out to brighten things up. The Druids could not have wished for a better start and were 1-0 up after 2 minutes through Chris Imiolek. Somehow he wriggled past the defenders and poked the ball in the far corner. Some 5 minutes later it was 2-0 and this time the ball bounced via a defender to Chris Imiolek who squeezed the ball past the C&G keeper. Play then ebbed and flowed from end-to-end and C&G had some chances to reduce the arrears. However, today Andrew Metzelaar in goal was unbeatable and the C&G forwards did not get any rewards for their efforts. Halfway through the first half, a cross form the right was parried by a defender, but up popped Nav Bani to slot in the rebound for 3-0. The Druids kept up the passing and break-aways and went close on several occasions. Just before half-time, Chris Imiolek made some room for himself on the edge of the box and unleashed an unstoppable shot past the C&G keeper for 4-0. Half-time 4-0 to the Druids. After some changes at half-time, it took the Druids only a couple of minutes to increase their lead. A cross from the right was headed on by Ryan Jones and there was Max Petch to side-foot the ball into the top corner. The Druids than took their foot of the pedal and calmly stroked the ball around. Rick Solomons scored a good goal after an individual run on the left and John Armitage completed the tally with a low shot from well outside the penalty area. 7-0 to the Druids. The game then petered out and the Druids could have scored more goals. Chris Imiolek missed two golden opportunities while at the other end Andrew Metzelaar made a wonder save to keep a clean sheet. The team is running into some fine form and the next few matches will determine whether the Druids are going to push for a top 3 place or not.

The Druids played excellent football in the high wind and lashing rain for the first 25 minutes. They then took their foot off the pedal and allowed Mountfield Rovers to get back in the game when there was no real threat from Mountfield throughout the game. First, Chris Imiolek turned and fired a stinging shot at goal but the Mountfield keeper could not prevent the ball from going into the goal via his hands. A few minutes later, Rick Solomons was tripped in the penalty area and John Armitage scored from the spot for 2-0. The Druids kept passing the ball well over the ground and midway through the first half Elliott Howarth pounced on a rebound from the keeper to make the score-line 3-0 to the Druids. The first half looked over, but the Druids sat back and allowed Mounfield to score when a forward was given too much space to shoot and a few minutes later the referee awarded Mountfield a penalty for a debatable handball. Mountfield converted the penalty and the half-time score was 3-2 to the Druids. In the second half, the Druids had the wind in their backs which made defending easier.The passing went astray and the long balls had too much pace in the wind for the forwards to control the ball and get some shots on target. The Druids were then awarded a free-kick on the right side of the penalty area and John Armitage drilled the ball low into the far corner. Play became disjointed due to the fierce wind and Mounfield went close with a shot that keeper Andrew Metzelaar somehow deflected onto the crossbar. At he other end some speculative shots went well wide and the match generally petered out. The Druids got another free-kick on the edge on the box and Rick Solomons lifted the ball in the top corner for 5-2. In the last seconds Elliott Howarth missed a sitter from 4 yards and hit the outside of the post instead, when it seemed easier to score. All in all a fine result for the Druids who now progress to the 3rd round of the Cheshire Cup.

Full squad, 2 subs, the signs were good. The first half was pretty much even with chances on either end. The difference was the finishing which the Druids did better than High Lane. First, Ryan Jones blasted the ball just over from a free kick just outside the box. Then the Druids got a second free kick and this time John Armitage did not miss the target. Chris Imiolek then turned the full-back and placed his shot just over the bar. High lane was attacking with speed and the Druids' defense had to be alert on more than one occasion. The Druids' goalkeeper was a rock today and he thwarted the High Lane forwards time and time again. Just before half-time, a half-hearted cross found Rick Solomons head in the box and the ball looped over the High Lane keeper into the corner of the net for 2-0. This was also the half-time score. After the break, the Druids went to sleep and High Lane took the initiative. From an attack the ball broke to the edge of the penalty area and the ball ended up in the roof of the Druids' net. High Lane then had a good spell and could have equalised if Andrew Metzelaar in the Druids' goal had not been at his best today. He kept out a number of dangerous shots when it seemed easier to score. Then, out of the blue, John Armitage got the ball in midfield and he unleashed a left foot shot into the top corner of the High Lane net from 30 yards. 3-1 to the Druids and 5 minutes later Scott Lewis bundled the ball over the High Lane goal-line for 4-1. High lane were then awarded a penalty which was converted high into the Druids' net for 4-2. Immediately, the Druids attacked again and with the High Lane keeper coming out of his goal to prevent a one-on-one, Chris Imiolek neatly lobbed the keeper for 5-2. A few minutes from the end, a good move from the Druids was rounded off by Ryan Jones from the right side of the goal for 6-2. This was also the final score when the ref blew his whistle a few minutes later. The Druids played well in parts but have to stop switching off when ahead.

Good football weather, good pitch, poor match. The Druids only had an 11-man squad and it showed on the pitch. There was no rhythm or accurate passing to brighten up this match. The visitors, Disley Juniors could count themselves unlucky both with an early sending off as well as the score which did not reflect the game as a whole. The Druids started brightly enough, but did not manage a shot on goal during the first half hour. Apart from a succession of corners which came to nothing, there was no cutting edge upfront. Disley attacked dangerously, but could not find the direction to the Druids' goal either. After half-an-hour Chris Imiolek finally managed to wriggle clear and get a shot on target. The rebound was blasted against the Disley keeper by Elliott Howarth when it seemed easier to score. A few minutes later Rick Solomons went on a run on the left and hooked the ball into the top corner of the Disley net for 1-0. Disley were down to 10 men by then having a player dismissed for dissent.The Druids then relaxed and allowed a Disley forward to make too much progress into the box and his finish was excellent. 1-1 and this was also the half-time score. After half-time, both team pushed forward for the winner, but poor finishing let both teams down in the box. At last, with 15 minutes to play, a melee in the Disley box gave Elliott Howarth the chance to squeeze the ball home for 2-1. Five minutes later Andrew Frain rounded off a good attack on the left with a high shot into the Disley goal. 3-1 and the Druids had now cause to defend their lead and did so adequately. Disley never gave up and kept coming at the Druids. However, in the end the forwards ran out of ideas and the score remained at 3-1 to the Druids. A first home win, but in general the game was painful to watch as a spectator and Disley deserved a little more from this game than they got.

The same pattern has emerged over the past few seasons against C&G A. The Druids start slow, C&G A get into the lead, then the Druids win the second half and pummel C&G A at the end. This was again the case today. The Druids started brightly and carved out some decent chances on the right. Poor finishing however eluded an early goal and the game then flowed from end to end. C&G A played a long-ball game and were dangerous on the break. A few alarm bells had been ringing when a loose cross was sliced by the Druids' full-back into their own net for 1-0 to C&G A. A little against the run of play, but the Druids were being out-muscled in midfield by a physically strong C&G A side. Mid-way through the first half, the Druids were forced to make some changes due to injuries to Scott Lewis and Ryan Jones. This meant re-shuffling the side and this did not help the fluency of the Druids' play at the time. C&G A took advantage and from a through-ball scored a second goal, 2-0. This was also the half-time score. After a half-time pep-talk the Druids started the second half much more positively. Navid Bani replaced Ryan Jones and Chris Imiolek was a constant threat upfront. From a measured through-ball, Chris Imiolek then got a shot in from the left, the C&G A keeper could not hold the ball and Navi Bani tapped in the rebound. 2-1 and game on! The Druids were now growing in confidence and attacked with menace. From a corner at the near post Rick Solomons diverted the ball behind  the C&G A keeper for 2-2. The game then ebbed and flowed from end to end with the Druids creating some great chances. Jordan Gray saw his goal-bound shot cleared of the line and the C&G A keeper made some wonderful saves to keep his team in the game. The woodwork came to the rescue for both teams on two occasions and it was a miracle that the score remained at 2-2. When the referee blew for full time, the Druids felt they could have snatched a victory here but in the end it seemed the right result. A good game to watch and the Druids can take heart from this performance for the rest of the season.

Poor defending cost the Druids dearly and they managed to lose this match against an energetic New Mills Juniors side. After an even first-half with the Druids cutting out the best chances the score was 1-0 to the Druids. It could and should have been more if "Lady Luck" had smiled on the team today. If Chris Imiolek had converted one or two of three very good chances, the game may have already been beyond New Mills at half-time. Twice the New Mills keeper saved to his right and the third time, the ball bounced over the bar with the keeper well beaten. New Mills persisted with a long-ball game which played right in the hands of the Druids' back-four. Then from a free-kick 20 yards over the half-way line, John Armitage saw the ball sail into the top corner of the New Mills' goal for 1-0. This remained the score until half-time. The Druids became complacent at the start of the second half and paid the price. In the 10 minutes after half-time, the Druids managed to concede three goals in quick succession. The first from sloppy defending on the left and the other two from follow-ups from corners where the Druids defenders did not get to the second ball. Both were expertly dispatched with he Druids keeper well stranded. With some 20 minutes left, the Druids got a free-kick some 25 yard from goal. Ryan Jones expertly curled the ball past the New Mills goalkeeper for 2-3. With their tails up, the Druids then pushed forward for the equaliser, but due to yet another mistake at the back when the Druids keeper lost the ball, the ball somehow ended up in the Druids' net. 2-4 and yet another mountain to climb. Very quickly the Druids got back into it and Chris Imiolek turned and slotted the ball into the far corner some 3 minutes later. Again. the Druids piled forward and came within inches of equalising. Two crosses a yard or so across the New Mills' goal evaded the Druids' forwards and the chances slipped by. At the end New Mills were hanging on and the Druids just ran out of time. The full-time whistle blew with the score 4-3 to New Mills Juniors. The Druids desperately need some of their injured players back to get back on track and start winning some matches.