Bloxwich Town 2-1 Droitwich Spa

The first round of the Les James Challenge Cup gave Spa an away draw at bottom of the table Bloxwich Town.
After a cagey opening 15 minutes on, what has to be said, was a dreadful surface (last seasons MFL2 groundsman of the year had experienced some problems with the mower) both sides huffed and puffed but were unable to get a foothold in the game. The hosts physical style of play with challenges flying in seemed to break up alot of the visitors' possesion.

Gradually the Saltmen started playing some flowing football and opened up the home defence on numerous occasions with both Aston Gunter and James Ward having efforts on goal.

The deadlock was eventually broken on the 20 minute mark when, after Smith's corner, Lemon had the time to control the ball well and on the turn smash home into the far corner.

This seemed to kick the hosts in to life and had alot more possesion and forced several corners and dangerous looking crosses - that said, keeper Matt Oliver was not forced to make a save.
On 35 minutes, an ill-advised and mis-timed sliding challenge from Halsall inside the penalty area gave the referee no option but to point to the spot.
Dean Williams stepped up and duly converted the penalty low into the corner, sending Oliver the wrong way to equalise.
Then, the heavens opened for the final 10 minutes of the half and during the interval which was probably the most notable event, however most of the play remained in the hosts final third.

Spa came out in the second half looking like a different side. A multitude of chances were created whilst the Bloxwich forwards were largely feeding on scraps.
Firstly, a deep corner from Smith was millimeters away from Matty Hunt's brow for what would have been a certain goal but the debutant couldn't quite reach it.
Soon after, excellent play from Burgess down the right and after a scramble in the box,his cross found Ward at the back post - his powerful downward header was superbly saved by the home 'keeper Wilson on the line.
Then, Aston Gunter was sent racing clear - through one-on-one, his powerful shot rattled the cross-bar.
Bloxwich's only chance of note in this half came during a frantic goal-mouth scramble but the ball was eventually cleared out for another corner.
Town then had Emery dismissed for a second bookable offence as Spa were building up the pressure against a tiring Bloxwich side.
Substitute Nick Seabourne gave added impetus - he came close with 10 minutes left but his shot from a tight angle which looked destined for the bottom corner flew past the post.
Mark Burrows then hit the side netting with a close range header, but the best (and final) chance for the visitors fell to Lemon - after being put through after excellent work from Gunter and Seabourne, he delayed his shot twice allowing the 'keeper to save at his feet - it then fell to Seabourne who lashed his shot way over.
Moments later and seconds from the end, a free kick 40 yards out was pumped into the area by Edwards. Matt Oliver jumped to claim it however was barged out of the way mid-air and the ball flew in to the net. Spa expected to hear a whistle for a foul but the referee gave the goal.
There was no more time on the clock and this lead to angry scenes as the two sides left the field of play and Droitwich the Challenge Cup at the first hurdle.