A BRACE from Alex Dugmore inspired Droitwich Spa to a 4-2 derby win against Worcester Raiders.
The Saltmen returned to winning ways in a six-goal thriller as Ben Tilbury’s early penalty put Spa ahead at the King George Playing Fields.
Raiders responded soon after courtesy of Prince Henry’s penalty only for Dugmore to restore the home side’s lead before the break.
A goal from Josh Hurdman extended Spa’s lead early in the second period before Lincoln Hunt kept Raiders in the contest.
However, Dugmore struck again late on to seal the points for Andy Crowther’s side as the club ended the year on a high.
The result means Droitwich sit third in the Hellenic League Premier Division table, five points behind leaders Roman Glass St George with three games in hand.
Spa exacted revenge on Worcester after suffering defeat against Raiders in the Worcestershire Senior Cup earlier this season.
And the Saltmen made the perfect start when Raiders goalkeeper Charlie Emery brought down Hurdman in the box and Tilbury converted the resulting penalty after just two minutes.
However, Worcester equalised five minutes later with a penalty of their own as Henry converted from the spot after the ball struck a Droitwich arm in the box following a corner.
The teams traded chances soon after as Emery denied Jack Brighton while Joe Stockton kept out Cam Monteith’s effort at the other end.
Spa reclaimed the lead on 35 minutes when Dugmore planted a trademark header into the net after he rose highest to meet a corner.
The hosts extended their lead three minutes after the break as Hurdman rounded Emery and finished into an empty net.
Worcester responded on 70 minutes when Emery’s long kick looper over the Spa defence and substitute Hunt rolled a shot into the bottom corner past a hesitant Stockton.
However, Spa made sure of the points on 82 minutes as Dugmore headed in his second of the game after good work from James Lemon down the left.
