Smithswood Firs 1-0 Saltmen

An injury ravaged Droitwich side travelled to meet Smithswood Firs for the first time at the Glades in wet conditions.

From the start, the hosts dominated proceedings and if it hadn't been for goalkeeper Matt Oliver could have been 4-0 down before half time.

Smithswood didn't force a save of any note for the first 20 minutes - their early efforts all wide of the mark, but the Spa stopper was extremely busy from that point on, pulling out a number of excellent stops from Thomas, Bertie, Anderson and a long range effort from Smith.
Seabourne had a decent chance early on but he missed the target and moments before the half time whistle, Luke Molloy (deployed on the wing this afternoon) fired his powerful shot off the crossbar when he really should have put Spa in to the lead against the run of play. In between times, Haydn Morris was substituted with another injury to add to a lengthy list.

With no let up in the rain, conditions worsened on the playing surface for the second half and again it was the hosts who remained on top undoubtedly adapting to the conditions more comfortably as Spa had opted for a failing route one approach.

Oliver was a busy man again and the pace of Firs going forward were continuing to cause the Saltmen problems. Smith, Weeks and Anderson all came close for the hosts while at the other end Seabourne nodded a tame header into the arms of Cottrill and then opted to head the ball wide when he had more time than he expected from close range from Celaj's pinpoint cross in what was Droitwichs best spell of the match.

However, with 13 minutes remaining, despite the pace and flair of all Firs' attacking players, it was the robust veteran forward Sam Hulme who danced passed 3 players and then fired the ball low into the bottom corner to finally give the hosts the lead they had deserved.

In a last ditch effort the injured James Lemon was brought in to the fray but if anything it was the hosts who could have extended their lead when Bertie forced another decent save from Oliver. Spa toiled in vain for the last 10 minutes failing to break down a resolute home rear-guard and succumbed to a disappointing defeat for which they could have no complaints.