DROITWICH SPA’s three-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday, after a 3-2 loss to Bromyard Town, but they quickly returned to winning ways in a 4-1 thrashing of Tipton Town on Wednesday night.
The Saltmen’s defeat to Bromyard at the weekend was a game in which they dominated, but equally could not find the composure needed in front of goal, in a game that was littered with wonderful strikes.
The hosts started strongest and proceeded to make their dominance count by peppering the Bromyard goal with numerous efforts.
Brad Burgess, Jack Davies and Tilbury were all denied by the woodwork, whilst Tom Riley denied Spa an opener with a goal-line clearance.
Droitwich grabbed the goal their good play had warranted, when Hadyn Morris shifted the ball through a gap in the defence to send through Burgess, who weaved inside and slammed the ball into the top corner of the net.
Bromyard keeper Jake Bobo was kept busy as Droitwich continued to make advances into the visitor’s territory, although Town were equally beginning to find success going forward.
Spa’s lead was erased on the stroke of half-time when Max Crisp brought down the advancing Jake Hollylee inside the penalty area, gifting Ryan Glenister the opportunity to level the scores from the spot – which he did by sending Matt Oliver the wrong way.
The second-half began in the same fashion as the first, with Spa lacking the clinical edge to take the lead, and again being denied by the woodwork.
Step up Jack Allerton to fire Spa back in front with an effort that must be considered as one of the Saltmen’s goals of the season.
He drifted forward on the ball, and from distance, lashed a powerful drive low into the bottom corner on 54 minutes – just what Droitwich had deserved for their play.
The visitors were not down and out by any means, and hit a second leveller of the game.
Substitute Sam Cupper turned Crisp, before touching out of his feet and firing an unstoppable hit on the half volley from range which had Oliver clawing at thin air.
Spa looked shaken by the setback, and did little to offer signs that they would go back in front.
Instead, it was Bromyard who looked the more spirited side, and they took full advantage when Hollylee found a yard of space to escape his marker and find the net, with all three efforts on target from the visitors finding the net.
It was enough to give them three points, and consign the Saltmen to their seventh defeat in the league this season.
The Saltmen looked back to their best in mid-week though, after a stunning first-half performance took them into a commanding 4-1 lead at half-time, although remarkably, no further goals would be scored in the second-half.
Mike Seeley scored twice on his return to the side, providing Droitwich with a cushioned lead, after Ben Tilbury’s screamer to open the scoring on eight minutes.
Tipton reduced the deficit to two goals, but Tilbury’s second of the match from the penalty spot sealed the win before half-time.
The result guarantees Spa will finish in the top four of the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One, due to their superior goal difference against fifth-placed Team Dudley.
On Saturday, Droitwich travel to tenth-placed Wyrley for their penultimate away game of the season (3pm), before visiting second-bottom Willenhall Town on Tuesday night (7:45pm).
