DROITWICH Spa secured an impressive 3-1 win against Coton Green after suffering a remarkable 7-4 defeat to Bilston Town in the FA Vase.
The Saltmen won at Coton Green courtesy of goals from Alex Dugmore, Charlie Tilley and James Lemon despite falling behind and having Gavin Podmore sent off before the half-hour mark at New Mill Lane.
That came after Spa crashed out of the FA Vase, conceding seven goals against divisional rivals Bilston with Dugmore, Connor Collins, Tilley and Luke Molloy on target at the King George Playing Fields.
Victory against Coton Green means the Saltmen sit seventh in the Midland Football League Division One table.
Spa made a blistering start at New Mill Lane as Molloy flashed a shot wide in the opening minute before Tilley’s attempted chip and Lemon’s shot failed to seriously trouble the Coton Green goalkeeper.
However, the home side took the lead when Spa goalkeeper Joel Chadwick fumbled a routine catch and Matt Gardner was on hand to tap home from close range.
Droitwich were level shortly after as Dugmore scored a trademark header at the back post before Lemon and Perry Moss both shot narrowly over.
The visitors completed the turnaround when Tilley picked up a loose ball and drove into the box before shooting under Coton keeper Duncan Van den Top.
However, Spa then lost Podmore to a red card after the defender brought down Harry Dixon with the Coton man through on goal.
Despite playing with a man less for the entirety of the second half, Spa kept Coton at bay and even had chances to extend their lead as Molloy’s free-kick came back off the crossbar.
And the Saltmen eventually sealed the points in injury time when Lemon finished from close range after good work from Tilley down the left.
The win marked a much-improved performance from Andy Crowther’s side following a heavy defeat against Bilston in the FA Vase.
Bilston took an early lead through Ethan Pearce’s tap in before Jake Short scored from the penalty spot to double the away side’s advantage after Chadwick committed a foul in the box.
A towering header from Dugmore halved the deficit before the break only for Bilston substitute Soms Sibanda to finish well shortly after the interval to restore the visitors two-goal lead.
And Eesa Sawyers then added a fine fourth goal for Bilston before substitute Josh Simcox scored a free-kick for the away side after Collins struck from the penalty spot for Spa.
Tilley’s tap in added some respectability to the scoreline for the Saltmen as Simcox and Molloy both scored penalties and Les Wood completed the scoring for Bilston on an afternoon to forget for Spa.
Droitwich are next in action away at Allscott Heath on Saturday, September 2 with kick-off at 3pm at Shawbirch Road.
