Alvis Sporting 1-0 Saltmen

This fixture pitted 3rd against 2nd and it was a close encounter.
Droitwich started brighter and created a number of half chances - both Seabourne and Lemon came close to breaking the deadlock in the opening 20 minutes.

The pace of Cutting & Pidgeon caused the visitors problems but for the most part the Saltmen's disrupted back-line held firm. It did take a magnificent save from Spa stopper Oliver though to keep the scores level saving low down from Pidgeon's powerful close range effort.

Burgess, Crowther and Lemon then had efforts on goal but none of which with enough power to seriously trouble Wardle.

Alvis then had a good spell of possession and created a few chances. They then took the lead on 38minutes when a powerful shot was parried by Oliver and Pidgeon reacted quickest to tap the ball home from close range.

An even and competitive first half was followed by a strong Droitwich performance in the second.
Seabourne was inches away from leveling things up with a delightful chip that had beaten Wardle but dipped just the wrong side of the crossbar.
Soon after, a powerful Burgess strike which did beat Wardle was brilliantly cleared off the line by Captain Quirke. More chances came and went for the visitors -Crowther had 2 chances but both of his drives were blocked by Day whilst Burgess and Lemon forced Wardle into further saves.

It wasn't all one way traffic however - Oliver did well to tip a couple of speculative header's around the post, but as the time ran down the visitors pressed more. Burgess again came close and Seabourne headed over from a decent Smith corner in the dying minutes but the Tankmen just held out for the points thanks to a resolute defensive display while the Saltmen can count themselves unfortunate not to have taken at least a point.
Alvis sit top of the table thanks to this win while next week both sides are in Cup action. Droitwich travel to Welland in the Quarter Final of the WJC, ko 2.30pm.