DROITWICH Spa maintained their perfect start to the season after securing a 4-3 win away at Ingles in a seven-goal thriller.
The Saltmen took an early lead through captain James Lemon before a Shay Abell own goal restored their advantage later in the first half.
And Connor Collins handed Droitwich the lead for the third time in the second period before substitute Ollie Thompson scored what proved to be the winning goal at Homestead Road.
Spa made a dream start when Lemon coolly slipped the ball underneath Ingles goalkeeper Abell when one-on-one after just four minutes.
And the visitors almost doubled their lead soon after only for Perry Moss’s chipped effort to be superbly tipped onto the crossbar by a backpedalling Abell before Callum Green and Collins went close.
However, Ingles drew level following a spell of sustained pressure in the Spa half as Sean Bennett guided Jamie Felstead’s cross-shot into the net after Jack Brighton lost his footing.
That came after Droitwich goalkeeper Matt Oliver had saved well with his feet to keep out Ben Tansley’s close range effort.
And Spa quickly restored their lead when Abell inadvertently helped the ball into his own net after Green had flicked on Brighton’s corner.
Droitwich should have extended their advantage early in the second period only for Brighton to blaze over from close range after Abell parried the ball into his path.
And the home side made the most of that missed chance to equalise for a second time when Tansley muscled his way through the Spa defence before finishing past Oliver at his near post.
However, Andy Crowther’s side found another quick response when Collins tapped home from a few yards out from Moss’s superb low cross.
The game was finally put to bed when Thompson grabbed a deserved goal from the bench as the lively winger raced clear of the Ingles defence before producing an emphatic finish.
There was still time for Ingles to reduce the deficit as Tansley scored his second of the afternoon when he capitalised on some sloppy defending.
And there was nearly an eighth goal when Spa’s Charlie Tilley broke clear of the home defence only to strike against the post.
Droitwich are next in action in their historic homecoming match against Cradley Town TONIGHT (Tuesday, August 16) with kick-off at 7.45pm at the King George Playing Fields.
Fans have been advised to arrive early with a large crowed expected.
