PERRY Moss’s superb strike completed a sensational second-half comeback as Droitwich Spa moved top of the table with a 3-2 win against Heather St. John’s.
Moss’s fine goal completed a memorable turnaround after Charlie Tilley and Connor Collins had drawn Spa level at the King George Playing Fields.
That came after the visitors went into the break with a two-goal lead while the Saltmen also lost Sam Hurdman to injury in the first half with the Spa man stretchered off following a lengthy stoppage.
And the result means Droitwich sit top of the Midland Football League Division One table, level on points with Allscott Heath although Spa have two games in hand.
The home side made a bright start as Moss forced St. John’s goalkeeper Tyler Williamson into a fine early save before the visiting keeper tipped Tilley’s effort around the post soon after.
However, St. John’s took the lead against the run of play on 14 minutes when Lewis Hopewell blasted the ball home from 20-yards out after Droitwich failed to properly clear their lines at a corner.
The visitors should have doubled their lead soon after as Jake McLeary shot wide when well-placed before Spa keeper Joel Chadwick made a save from point-blank range to keep out the league’s leading goalscorer Kyle Jardine.
Spa then lost midfielder Hurdman to injury after he appeared to be tripped as he raced into the box with the referee showing the midfielder a yellow card for simulation before he was stretchered off.
St John’s doubled their lead just before half time as Jake Finnerty’s audacious lob from 40-yards out looped over a stranded Chadwick in the Spa goal.
The Saltmen reduced the deficit just two minutes into the second period as Tilley finished from close range after great footwork from Moss.
And the home side equalised on the hour mark after Tilley won back possession and drew a foul in the box before Collins converted the resulting penalty to bring the teams level.
Spa completed the turnaround on 68 minutes when the ball came out to Moss who rifled a precise shot into the bottom corner from 20-yards out.
Andy Crowther’s side saw out the remaining minutes to secure a fourth straight win and move top of the table for the first time this season.
Droitwich are next in action at home to Bewdley Town on Tuesday, October 17 in the Worcestershire Senior Cup with kick-off at 7.45pm at Kingy’s.
