IT WAS labelled Worcestershire’s biggest contest of the weekend – and it certainly lived up to expectation.
But for Droitwich it will be a game that they will wish to forget in a hurry after they let a 3-0 lead slip away as their hopes of reaching a cup final crashed down to the ground.
This is because Worcester Raiders put on a terrific and almost faultless second half display to reach the Worcestershire Saturday Junior Cup final in wonderful style – breaking the hearts of Drotwich’s players and fans.
How Droitwich will respond to this heartbreaking loss will be a true test of character for Wayne Oliver’s men.
But it was the hosts who started brightly when Nick Seabourne, who last week netted six goals in a 10-1 win over Sutton United, had a decent chance which flashed wide.
In a competitive encounter, there were further chances at both ends as the visitors got into their stride – Richard Smith, Anthony Smith and Martin Newman all having chances while James Lemon, Aston Gunter and Luke Molloy also caused Raiders problems.
And it was Lemon who opened the scoring for Spa on 25 minutes when he latched on to a lovely through ball from Gunter and deft chipped the rushing keeper to give Spa the lead.
Raiders were rocking and it was not long before Lemon doubled their lead – a good run and cross from Jamie Smith down the left found Seabourne who teed up Lemon to smash home from close range.
A third was soon to follow as Lemon fed Molloy who finished well from just eight yards out.
However just before the half-time whistle, a big turning point came when Raiders crucialy pulled a goal back before the break with Martin Newman finishing well inside the box.
That goal changed the match and the second half saw Raiders burst into action and controlling the proceedings.
And a thriller finish was on the cards when Raiders reduced their deficit to 3-2 on the hour mark when Joel Hobbs finished well from a set piece.
Then eight minutes later Raiders did at what appeared one stage the unthinkable levelled the scores at 3-3 after poor defending from the hosts saw Newman net his second of the game.
Spa’s only chance of note fell to James Lemon who forced a decent save out of the visiting stopper.
And Raiders completed the comeback with a winner in the late stages when Tyler smashed home from close range to complete a memorable victory for the visitors – avenging last seasons Final defeat to Droitwich.
