Droitwich Spa Manager Andy Crowther rang the changes for Tuesday evening's 3-1 League Cup victory over Smethwick Rangers, with 9 changes from Saturday's 5-1 League win over Paget Rangers, in a starting 11 which included three current youth team players, with a further three on the substitutes bench.

Despite the vastly different starting line-up, Droitwich were the more dangerous side throughout the evening and started well as Josh Hurdman's off-balance attempt from the edge of the area cleared the cross-bar.
Danny Barnes then tried his luck from a similar position with 14 minutes on the clock, as the Saltmen enjoyed plenty of possession but struggled to find that clinical final ball against a resolute Smethwick side.

Droitwich took the lead on the half hour mark when Alex Dugmore's bicycle kick was palmed clear by Rangers 'keeper Edjangue, but only as far as Jamie Lucas; the former Bristol Rovers man heading in from close range.

Spa then put the pedal to the metal as Roland Krol, then Josh Hurdman both came close, and on 33 minutes the former scored the goal of the game when his unstoppable bullet header from a corner gave the Saltmen a 2-goal advantage.

Jake Allen then tested debutant 'keeper Joe Neeson from range while at the other end some fine skill from Jack Davies and shot on the turn narrowly missed the top corner and the sides went in separated by a score-line of 2-0 at half time.

Droitwich continued their dominance of the contest into the second half as chances fell to Hurdman and Lucas, but Edjangue made a brilliant save to tip his low drive around the post.
The Rangers stopper could do nothing about Spa's third of the evening as Krol made an incursion into the visitors' box, he pulled it back for Lucas who made no mistake from 8-yards into an empty net.

Edjangue was called into action once more to deny Davies's solo effort, blocking a fierce drive at the near post, then an even better save to thwart Hurdman as he burst through the middle of the Smethwick defence.

The visitors did manage a consolation goal as Allen finished well from close range just over 10 minutes remaining, but Droitwich secured a fully merited 7th successive win in all competitions in an entertaining game, played in the right spirit, to qualify for the 3rd Round of the competition.

Andy Crowther will be happy with his debutants no doubt, as they all rose to the occasion and didn't look out of place in the first team which was expertly captained by Alex Dugmore.

Due to Ingles's continued involvement in the ISUZU FA Vase on Saturday, Droitwich are without a game. The next fixture for the Saltmen will be on Saturday 4th November (ko 3pm) when Chelmsley Town are the visitors to Kingys.