Smethwick Rangers 3-1 Droitwich Spa

The Saltmen slumped to a surprising defeat at bottom-of-the-table Smethwick Rangers on Saturday, during the hosts debut at their new home of Boldmere St Michales. It was Rangers' first League win for exactly three months.

In sub-zero temperatures, the fixture was one of just three games to survive the frosts in the Midland Football League Division 1, and Droitwich controlled the first half, playing some of their best football all season!

Within 60 seconds, Luke Molloy had the first attempt for Spa with a well hit strike from the edge of the box, and Edjangue reacted well to deny him.
Connor Collins's shot was then deflected on to the post and away for a corner, and Jack Davies's drilled effort went just off target.

Some trickery from Perry Moss saw him round 4 Rangers defenders but again his effort was just wide.

Edjangue was forced into a good save again when from Cory Rudd's centre, Collins's guided header was acrobatically tipped on to the cross-bar by the Rangers stopper, and he denied the same Saltmen player again in a similar situation.

Jack Davies's trickery and powerful 20-yard effort just missed the goal frame before Jevani Robinson cleared off the line as a Dugmore header ricocheted off Elzahari and was heading in, right on half time.

Rangers offered little in the first half, Chadwick was a virtual spectator in the visiting goal, and Droitwich couldn't understand how they hadn't managed to break the deadlock.

The Saltmen would live to rue their dominance and host of missed chances, however Charlie Tilley gave the visitors the lead within 1 minute of the re-start, as great footwork and a precise low cross from Moss found Spa's leading scorer 15-yards out; his low drive across goal going in off the base of the post. It was Tilley's 13th goal in 18 starts this season, in his 98th appearance for the club.

However the hosts were level within 10-minutes, with their first effort on target. Joel Chadwick swept up an attack 25-yards out of his goal, but his poor clearance fell to the feet of the hosts' leading scorer Jahmaal McIntosh-McMahon who took a touch and fired a long-range effort in to the stranded Chadwick's empty net.

The equaliser ruffled Droitwich's feathers, who from then on were rushed and careless in possession, however Smethwick got their noses in front as Brighton was caught our of position, a great burst down the flank and in to the box by left-back Robinson who cut the ball square to Jake Allen, having the simple task of tapping home from close range.

Spa responded and enjoyed the lions share of possession, but Rangers defended stoically until the end.
Luke Molloy's 30-yard thunderbolt flashed across goal, and Robinson was clearing off his own line for the second time of the afternoon to deny Dugmore's header.

With a little over 20 minutes remaining, a hazardous sliding tackle from Cal Green took down Tabari Maxwell in the area and from the resulting spot-kick Dylan Green fired down the middle of the goal with Chadwick already committed to give the hosts a 3-1 lead.

Droitwich had more chances to reduced the deficit through James Lemon, who rounded Edjangue before firing in to the side netting from a tight angle, before Edjangue denied Tilley's header with another fine save.

Smethwick had one further chance as substitute Khenan Barrett struck an effort from 40-yards out which went narrowly wide, and the game finished 3-1 to Rangers, who climb off bottom spot.
Droitwich have won just once in the last 5 games, in a spell that has seen Spa knocked out of the League Cup and take just 1 point from 9 available.

The Saltmen's next opportunity to get back on track is scheduled for Tuesday night (ko 7.45pm) when another out-of-form side, Chelmsley Town, visit Kingy's.
However due to the recent heavy rain and forecast, Spa may have to wait until Saturday, where again they are at home, this time against an improving AFC Bridgnorth (ko 3pm).