PERRY Moss scored a hat-trick as Droitwich Spa secured their first win since the turn of the year with an emphatic 5-1 victory against Smethwick Rangers.
Moss restored Spa’s lead after Charlie Tilley opened the scoring before completing his treble in the second half while Connor Collins also struck from the penalty spot at the King George Playing Fields.
The result means Droitwich sit fourth in the Midland Football League Division One table three points behind Ingles in second with two games in-hand.
Looking to a end a run of three league games without a win, the Saltmen spurned a number of early chances as Jack Brighton saw his cross-shot cleared off the line before Collins headed against the bar.
More chances came and went for Andy Crowther’s side as Rangers goalkeeper Owen Burton denied Brighton from distance before then punching another Collins header to safety.
Spa eventually broke the deadlock on 33 minutes when Tilley powered the ball home from close range after good hold-up play from Lemon.
However, Smethwick equalised with their first attack as R’Marni Reid-Miller raced on to a loose ball before producing a clinical finish past Spa’s debutant goalkeeper Oliver Sayer.
The home side restored their lead just before half time when Moss found the bottom corner with a first time effort from Lemon’s low cross.
And the Saltmen extended their lead on the hour mark as Collins converted from the penalty spot after Rangers keeper Burton fouled the former in the box.
Moss scored his second of the game on 82 minutes with a cool finish when one-on-one with Burton as Lemon provided another assist.
And Moss completed his hat-trick two minutes later with a tap-in from close range after Lemon unselfishly squared the ball into his path.
Spa had a chance to make it six when Youssef Elazhari fouled Alex Dugmore in the box only for the defender to pick himself up and send the resulting spot kick well over the crossbar.
Droitwich are next in action at home to Coventry Copsewood on Saturday, February 3 with kick-off at 3pm at the King George Playing Fields.
