Droitwich Spa 2-0 Montpellier

A difficult draw for either side in the first round of the Worcestershire Junior Cup as two of the favourites went head-to-head.

Montpellier finished as runners-up in the competition last year, coupled with a flying start to their maiden Total Motion MFL Division 2 season and plenty of quality among their ranks, this was on paper a tough test for Droitwich, who were missing half a dozen players due to suspension and injury.

The opening exchanges were relatively even with the two sides exchanging blows and some decent passing football on show.
'Pelliers looked dangerous with the front two of Bonar and former professional Stuart Hendrie, and looked a threat down both flanks with the pace of Knight and Shepherd.

Both Hendrie and Bonar had half chances for the visitors which failed to really test Oliver, while at the other end Seabourne, Burgess and Morris were having some joy getting in behind the visiting back-line - Seabourne missing a couple of opportunities before the deadlock was broken on 22minutes.
Another run into the box by Seabourne, and his low shot from an angle was only parried into the path of Bradley Burgess who tapped home from a matter of yards out.

The Saltmen grew in confidence and their goal from that point in the first period was rarely troubled. 'Keeper Johnson had to be on his toes to deny Seabourne, Morris, Burgess and Matty Hunt once more making several excellent saves as Spa went into the break 1-0 up.

The second half continued in a similar vein, however Hendrie had a golden opportunity to pull Montpellier level early on in the half but Matt Oliver made a great save to deny his header.

Curtis Townley put in an excellent shift as a stand-in centre back alongside Matty Hunt, and they dealt with most of the visiting threat reasonably comfortably as Spa won their battles across the pitch.

Jonhson was again called into action to deny Burgess and Seabourne, both with decent attempts, the latter also firing wide when in a good position.

The second goal eventually came 13 minutes from time - a neat passing move between Crowther and Morris slipped Seabourne in on goal and he despatched his effort clinically into the far corner.

However Montpellier could quite easily have notched two or three goals before the final whistle as Stuart Hendrie was put through - luckily for Spa he had left his shooting boots at home as Matty Oliver denied him, and Paul Bonar fired high and wide when well positioned.

Other WJC 1st Round Results:
Inkberrow 5 - 0 Bredon
Bewdley Town Reserves 4 - 4 Feckenham (Feckenham win on penalties)
Fairfield Villa 2 - 6 Worcester City FC U21
Malvern Town U21 2 - 0 Bromsgrove Sporting Reserves
Welland 4 - 3 Upton Town

The draw for the Quarter Final will soon take place, with ties to be played on Saturday 25th November