Droitwich Spa 1-1 Coton Green

These two sides went in to the opening game of the season with the optimism which this time of year often brings.
A competitive encounter which was sadly short of goalmouth action for the most part, a 1-1 result was probably a fair reflection of the game overall for Coton's defensive tenacity and organisation.

The first period well and truly belonged to the Saltmen with the vast majority of the first 45 played in Coton's half.

Captain Mike Seeley broke the deadlock on 23 minutes - tapping home Jamie Smith's pin-point corner from close range. Spa had numerous chances to further their lead either side of the opener with Lemon, Seabourne, Crisp, Gunter and Morris coming close.

At the interval, visiting Manager Rob Masefield must have had some strong words for his players - as Coton came out for the second half a different side.

A much more even 2nd 45 and some attacking intent from the visitors had Spa on the back foot without seriously troubling 'keeper Matt Oliver - the former did however inexplicably decide to pick up an obvious back-pass which led to a free kick a matter of yards from the goal-line. Droitwich got off the hook as the first attempted rocketed into the roof of the net, however the referee had blown his whistle. The re-take was defended and put out for a corner.

Spa then came back into the game and it took a fine save from the visiting 'keeper to deny Max Crisp from doubling the lead.
The Saltmen had their tails up but when it came to the final third looked short of ideas and the Coton defence stuck to their task well.
In the 82nd minute, substitute Macauley Finch was sent through by Burgess as Coton were caught short on the break - Finch will feel he should have done better as his powerful strike from the edge of the area whistled just wide of the post.

Spa would live to almost immediately rue that miss and several before that, as substitute Arrowsmith broke free and slipped a low shot under Oliver for the equaliser with 5 minutes to go. Both sides had one more chance before the end of the 5 added minutes but could not find the elusive winner.