Saltmen 4-1 Hampton

Droitwich Spa chalked up their fourth straight win over lowly Hampton, however it wasn't as straight forward as the result suggests.

Hampton took a early lead thanks to a quick counter attack which caught the Saltmen back-line cold when a low cross was expertly turned home by Liam Mansell in just the fourth minute.

It was a rare chance for the visitors though as they were pinned back in their own final third for much of the opening 45minutes.
Droitwich controlled the possesion but found it difficult to penetrate the Hampton back-line - being caught offside time and again.

When the chances started to flow though, Spa eventually got their rewards.
Missed chances from Seabourne, Lemon and Molloy were forgotten in spectacular style, as Captain Andy Crowther curled a superb first time effort from the edge of the box into the top corner on 19 minutes.

Spa continued to press forward and retained the ball well and Haydn Morris put the hosts in front from 18 yards after yet more good work from James Lemon - his effort bobbling over the despairing attempts to clear off the line.

Jamie Smith then took a painful looking knock in the nether regions and was replaced at the break by Besar Celaj.

It was more of the same for the start of the second half and it wasn't long before Crowther was on the scoresheet again. From a corner a goalmouth scramble ensued and Nick Seabourne's prod into Crowther's path saw him powerfully hit the back of the net from close range.

Spa then took their foot off the gas for the final 30 minutes - worryingly James Lemon pulled up with a muscle strain and was replaced by Bradley Burgess and with more clinical finishing the visitors could have quite easily been on level terms. A whole host of decent chances fell their way but they were unable to force a save from Oliver in the home goal.

The game had peetered out in all truth-there were further chances for Molloy, Seabourne and Gunter at the other end, but it wasnt until stoppage time when Captain Crowther scored his first hat-trick in six years back at the club.

A good run from Burgess saw him brought down 25 yards from goal. There was only one candidate to take the set piece and the Captain stepped up an expertly despatched his effort into the top corner, giving the Hampton stopper no chance to round off a satisfying victory.

Three away games now for Spa until the new year when they return to KGPF against leaders Alvis Sporting on Monday, 2nd January, ko 2pm.