DROITWICH Spa Ladies Firsts have now gone three Worcestershire League Division Two games without a win following their narrow 1-0 defeat to promotion hopefuls Stourport Fourths.
The encounter saw both sides play out an entertaining first half but neither side was able to forge ahead.
Spa had the greater of the possession though, but were not able to fashion out any chances while Stourport relied on their pace out wide but lacked a cutting edge.
After the break Spa’s Gabriella Prendiville saw her swept effort which looked destined for the bottom right hand corner well saved by Stourport’s right kicker.
By this point, the visitors kept their rolling subs going and from one swift attack down the right, a cross found its way to their forward in the circle whose composed finish found the bottom corner of Kayleigh Thomas’ goal.
Despite this, Spa battled back as Lucy Hine tried to force the equaliser but after weaving her way into the circle, her reverse stick effort pinged off the far post and into safety.
As the clock wound down centre back Sue Williams came forward and powered the ball into the Stourport circle which deflected off a defender’s stick and into the path of Hannah Lee who was unlucky to not level the game.
The game ended in an unfortunate 1-0 defeat but Spa will look to avenge that on Saturday when they travel to league leaders Old Halesonians Firsts.
It was a bad day at the office for the Men’s Seconds as they suffered a 4-0 defeat to Solihull Blossomfield Seconds in West Midlands Division Two.
Droitwich were looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat from earlier in the season but from the first Blossomfield attack they fell behind from a penalty corner.
The hosts settled down after going behind as a chance fell to Ashley Davies but after racing through on goal from an astute Steve Farr pass, he failed to beat the Blossomfield keeper.
Luke Wickes had the next chance for Spa from a penalty corner after David Purchase was fouled but his shot looped over the bar via a deflection.
Blossomfield then doubled their lead from a penalty corner of their own which flew into the net off Spa keeper Matthew Whiteside’s pad.
After the break Spa showed more promise and fight as Purchase played through Barry Williams but a last ditch tackle prevented him from getting a shot off.
Purchase then had more chances to reduce the arrears but could not find the target with any of his efforts.
The visitors then went 3-0 up from a shot from the right hand side before their fourth came midway through the second half to complete the rout.
Spa travel to Wolverhampton Seconds on Saturday (12.30pm start).
Meanwhile, the Spa Badgers also tasted defeat as they were beaten 4-2 by Old Halesonians Badgers.
With some key players missing, Spa’s lack of strength and composure was soon capitalised on by Halesonians as they raced into an early 2-0 lead from short corners.
Spa, for most of the season, have shown resilience and tenacity during periods of tenacity and this game proved to be no different as they had an opportunity to pull a goal back before the break.
After Matthew Gurr was fouled by the Halesonians keeper, he could only divert his penalty kick onto the post.
Following the interval Spa upped their tempo and soon found themselves level thanks to a brace from Spa’s leading scorer John Phillips.
However, Spa were hit with a suckerpunch as they fell 3-2 behind before a further goal put Halesonians 4-2 up.
This was the only the third time Spa have been beaten this season and showed there is still promise for the remainder of the campaign.
The Badgers travel to Stourport in two weeks’ time.
