DROITWICH Spa got their league campaign off to the perfect start as they smashed six past Hampton last Saturday.
James Lemon and Macauley Finch both bagged braces while James Ward and Nick Seabourne also netted as Wayne Oliver’s and Mark Owen’s side clinched an emphatic 6-1 win at the King George Playing Fields.
After all the hype and talk during pre-season Spa were glad to begin with a hard opening fixture against one of the more consistent teams in Midland Football League Division Two.
But Droitwich got off to a sluggish start and fell behind on 15 minutes when Hampton broke the defensive line and Simon Hinsley fired past Matt Oliver.
This proved the catalyst Spa needed and responded in a more positive manor, playing at times some decent football and beginning to get a foothold in the game.
Hampton had a further chance to score but Oliver pulled off a fine save before Spa produced a devastating spell. With
half-time looming large, Lemon scored the equaliser before two more quality finishes from Ward and Seabourne put Droitwich 3-1 in front.
The second half saw Spa start better but Hampton kept pressing and were unlucky not to reduce the arrears when the assistant judged one of their forwards to be in an off side position.
The hosts continued to push forward and increased their lead. Ward and Finch hit the back of the net before Lemon sealed a bumper home win.
But joint-manager Wayne Oliver described it as a ‘satisfactory’ start and urged his side to build on their opening day victory.
“At times we played some good flowing football and showed character after going behind,” he said.
“All credit to the lads on gaining the opening day points which is something we have not done for a while in front of a good home crowd, so it was pleasing.
“But we have still got a difficult bunch of fixtures to come and they’re all in quick succession.”
*FAIRFIELD Villa find themselves at the foot of the Midland Football League Division Two table after two disappointing defeats.
The Bromsgrove side were edged out in a close encounter against Hampton who claimed a thrilling 3-2 victory on Tuesday night.
This came just four days after a 4-0 hammering at the hands of Sutton United who scored three goals in the second half to cap off a miserable season curtain-raiser for Fairfield.
