Bloxwich Town 1-5 Saltmen

The Saltmen opened their 2017-18 campaign with a 5-1 victory at Bloxwich Town.

Town had knocked Droitwich out of this competition at the same time last year, so Spa emphaticaly responded to that disappointment this time around.

Bloxwich started promisingly without seriously troubling Oliver, however Droitwich looked threatening on the break.

It did not take long for the visitors to break the deadlock - Nick Seabourne latched on to a long ball forward beating both the offside trap and home 'keeper and the front-man then had the simple task of slotting into an empty net.

Spa grew in confidence and took control of proceedings - good work down the right from Townley and Burgess sent Seabourne away who raced to the bye line and fired in a low cross which James Lemon slammed home for 2-0.

Seabourne then had a flying header go narrowly over while Morris hit another shot wide before half time.

Spa were kicking down the slope in the second half, and Morris got on to the scoresheet after James Lemon unselfishly teed him up to fire in to an empty net.

Captain Mike Seeley & James Lemon had further chances before Morris added his second of the game and the Saltmen's fourth as Crowther's free-kick from the left was nodded into the wide-man's path by Seabourne and the game was up for Bloxwich.

Spa took their foot off the gas and the hosts had some joy going forward calling Matt Oliver into a few saves, but Droitwich added a fifth as substitute Macauley Finch danced around two opponents only to see his shot from the edge of the box saved, however the rebound fell to Lemon who easily netted from close range.

The only sour point was Bloxwich's late consolation goal, but Droitwich can be happy with a professional performance and convincing victory which takes them into the next round of the Les James Challenge Cup.