JAMES Lemon’s goal ensured Droitwich Spa made a winning start to the New Year with a 1-0 victory against struggling Hallen.
Lemon scored the game’s only goal in first-half injury time at the Hallen Centre.
The result means Droitwich sit second in the Hellenic League Premier Division table, two points behind Roman Glass St George with three games in hand.
However, Spa sit just two points ahead of Slimbridge in third who have three games in hand on the Saltmen.
Andy Crowther’s side made a bright start as Alex Dugmore saw his early header sail over the crossbar.
Hallen goalkeeper Harry Thomas-Barker then denied Josh Hurdman before a defender blocked Jack Brighton’s goalbound effort behind.
From the resulting corner, Thomas-Barker also kept out Ben Tilbury’s header to keep the game goalless.
Hallen’s only chance of the first period saw Harrison Fairman flash a cross-shot across the face of goal.
Droitwich eventually broke the deadlock two minutes into injury time at the end of the first half when Lemon emphatically fired Brighton’s low cross into the roof of the net.
Hallen almost drew level moments after the break as George King’s effort from 25-yards out left Joe Stockton rooted to the spot only for the ball to travel inches past the post.
The Saltmen almost sealed the points as Tilbury saw his header at a corner cleared off the line by Jack Busby.
Hallen’s only other chance fell to Busby as he sent a backwards header straight at Stockton who held the ball comfortably.
However, Spa comfortably saw out the game to seal back-to-back wins in the league for the first time since November.
Droitwich are next in action against Mangotsfield United on Saturday, January 10 with kick-off at 3pm at Cossham Street.
