Droitwich Spa 2-1 Coventry Copsewood

Droitwich Spa earned a second successive home victory after a hard fought battle with mid-table Coventry Copsewood.

In a cagey first half it was the visitors who took the lead when on 15 minutes Eden Mukenge broke the offside trap, cut inside and finished well with just Sayer to beat; this being the first effort on goal from either side in a drab opening on a difficult surface.

The Saltmen replied when Manuel was equal to Connor Collins’ 18th minute effort, but the Copsewood ‘keeper could do nothing about a screamer of an equaliser from Josh Hurdman on 23 minutes. Spa’s playmaker picked the ball up, took a touch and from 30-yards hit a sublime effort into the top corner to draw the home side level.

The first half continued in the same fashion, with the only effort of note being a long range Nathan Binner effort which narrowly missed the target.

However, Droitwich scored what prove to be the winning goal just 2 minutes before the half time whistle as Brighton’s free kick from the half way line was flicked on by Collins, and a defensive lapse allowed Perry Moss all the time in the world to stroke home into the far corner from close range.

The second half was much more entertaining as both sides created numerous opportunities to add to the score-line; the first chance fell to Hurdman on 46 minutes who fired over after some neat build-up play between Collins, Moss and Binner.
Just 2 minutes later though Copsewood should have drawn level as Harvey Wells’ powerful effort from yards out was somehow acrbatically kept out by Ollie Sayer.

Copsewood spurned further excellent chances for Mukenge and Ellis but some wayward finishing ultimately cost the visitors at least a share of the spoils.

Droitwich managed the game well and could have extended their lead through free kick’s from Brighton and Binner, as well opportunities for Cory Rudd, Alex Dugmore, Hurdman, Moss & Woodall.
The Saltmen did have the ball in the net for a 3rd time deep into injury time after Copsewood committed all men forward (including ‘keeper Manuel) and Dugmore broke away, but after squaring to Hurdman to tap into an empty net, after deliberation the linesman flagged for offside.