NATHAN Binner’s early penalty proved decisive as Droitwich Spa edged out FC Stratford 1-0 in their first game of the New Year.
Binner scored from the spot after just eight minutes in a closely-contested game at the King George Playing Fields.
The result means Droitwich sit six points clear at the top of the Hellenic League Division One table.
Victory ensured Andy Crowther’s side made the perfect start to the New Year as Spa inflicted a first away defeat on Stratford since August while the visitors also failed to score in a league game for the first time this season.
Temperatures dropped below freezing which made for a difficult playing surface as both teams struggled to adapt to the tricky conditions.
Spa had the game’s first chance with Kian Hamer only able to head the ball into the path of Alex Dugmore who shot straight at Stratford goalkeeper Ethan Pheasey from 10-yards out.
And the home side won a penalty soon after as Anthony Umoh fouled James Lemon in the box and the referee pointed to the spot.
Binner stepped up and confidently dispatched the resulting penalty past Pheasey to put the Saltmen into an early lead.
The home side searched for a second goal as Pheasey produced a fine reflex save to push Charlie Tilley’s deflected effort from the edge of the penalty area around the post.
Spa had the ball in the net for a second time later in the half only for the assistant referee’s flag to deny Binner a brace.
And Pheasey made another stunning save to keep the visitors in the contest as he somehow tipped Jack Davies’ venomous volley from 20-yards out over the bar with the ball destined for the top corner.
Droitwich picked up where they left off after the break as Dugmore broke the offside trap only for Hamer to make a vital last-ditch challenge as the striker went to shoot.
However, Stratford improved in the second period and kept Spa pinned inside their own half for the remainder of the match.
Saltmen goalkeeper Joe Stockton made a superb save on the hour mark as the Spa stopper kept out Sam Rodber’s powerful effort from 12-yards out.
The Bears went close again 10 minutes from time as Robbie Sone fired over the crossbar with only Stockton to beat.
And the visitors spurned a glorious chance to draw level at the death when Jake Williams rose highest at a corner but could only send the ball the wrong side of the post.
Droitwich are next in action against Westfields in the Marsh Challenge Cup on Saturday, January 11 with kick-off at 3pm at the King George Playing Fields.
