JORDAN Cox was the hat-trick hero on Wednesday night as Droitwich Spa continued to step up their pre-season preparations.
A thrilling 5-3 victory over Midland League Division Two outfit FC Stratford at the Arden Garages Stadium on Wednesday night provided Spa a second high-scoring friendly victory, following the 10-0 drubbing of Hinton in their opener.
Cox’s double got the ball rolling for the visitors, while Haydn Morris added to the scoring after the hosts pulled one back to put Mark Owen’s side in control at half-time.
And while Stratford reduced the deficit to one at the beginning of the restart, Cox’s hat-trick goal and one from Ben Tilbury rendered a late consolation meaningless.
It followed a respectable 2-2 draw with Hellenic League Division One West side Hereford Lads Club on Saturday – a game which provided Droitwich a first appearance back in front of fans.
After a goalless opening, Tilbury sparked proceedings into life at Widemarsh Common early in the second-half, only for a quickfire double to put Hereford in front.
So it was a great relief for the travelling fans when Brad Burgess levelled up the scores moments later to keep Droitwich unbeaten in pre-season.
Two further friendlies now await the Saltmen, with the start date of their West Midland (Regional) Division One season still unclear.
A visit to Stourport Swifts awaits on Saturday (3pm) at Walshes Meadow, before a return to home territory at King George V Playing Fields against Bewdley Town the following weekend (September 5).
