Boss takes dim view of call-off

FORMER Athletic player Lee Richardson hinted at a conspiracy theory as non-league Droylsden’s epic FA Cup tie against Chesterfield took another dramatic twist.

The Chesterfield manager was bemused after seeing the second-round tie suffer its second abandonment as last night’s replay was called off with 18 minutes left due to floodlight failure with the Spireites 2-0 ahead at the Butchers Arms.

After Droylsden suffered a similar fate at fog-bound Saltergate, where the game was postponed with them 1-0 ahead, Richardson declared: “The irony, and the last laugh for Droylsden, is that the game is abandoned for poor light when it was still much clearer than it was in the first game. (Two of the four floodlight pylons failed).

“You could see all the pitch and the referee hid behind safety regulations, but from our point of view there is a certain amount of suspicion.

“It seems an unbelievable coincidence that the floodlights should fail in a game where we were 2-0 ahead with 18 minutes to go and winning comfortably. Nobody will ever know,

“What will happen next time. Maybe an earthquake. Is Droylsden on a fault line?”

Grotton-based Droylsden manager/chairman Dave Pace explained that there had been electrical problems affecting parts of the ground before and during the game.

He said: “It is unbelievable, and one of those things you cannot legislate for. It has happened to bigger and better clubs than us, and it will happen again.

“Obviously they will be disappointed, like we were when we were 1-0 ahead and the game was abandoned.”

On another dramatic night, there had been trouble in the opening half when referee Colin Webster called a temporary halt to proceedings following an incident involving his assistant.

A bizarre tannoy announcement was subsequently made requesting fans to “stop harassing the linesman” who had allegedly been abused and spat at. Stewarding was increased pitch side as a result of the incident.

Chesterfield’s Jack Lester scored the only goal of the opening half, producing a superb turn and finish from the edge of the penalty area.

And when Darren Currie, nephew of Sheffield United legend Tony, rifled in a second goal early in the second half from 25 yards, Droylsden’s dream of further cup glory appeared to have died until the tie took another bizarre twist.

The next gripping instalment, an incredible fourth clash, has been provisionally set for Tuesday at the Butchers Arms, though that has yet to be confirmed.