Droitwich Spa 3-4 Smithswood Firs

Smithswood Firs edged this 7-goal thriller at Walshes Meadow.

The game started the better for the Saltmen though, as James Lemon seized upon a short back-pass from David Barfield and rounded Jake Woodward in the Firs goal to give the hosts the lead.

They weren't ahead for long though; former Chelmsley and Sporting forward Chris Lloyd placed a sublime free kick into the top corner just four minutes later after Matty Hunt was adjudged to have fouled his marker 25 yards out.

Both sides were showing alot of attacking intent in what was an end to end first half - the pace of Lloyd, Bertie, Smith and Crawford caused the hosts problems and after firing over when well placed, Martin Crawford finished well from the edge of the box to put Firs 2-1 up.

Droitwich edged the game on chances created - Lemon and Burgess were guilty of missing chances before Lemon evened up the scores on 36 minutes after being put through by Louis Bridges.

A very entertaining first half (which has to be said was only 43 minutes long!) on a slippy surface which made the game difficult for both sides.

Just 2 minutes after the re-start however, Max Crisp made an ill-advised foul on the edge of the box, Lloyd's effort hit the angle of post and bar and Crawford was on hand to tap home to put Firs back in front.

The visitors decided to sit back and absorb the pressure, and Spa duly applied it with substitute Seabourne, Lemon, Morris, Burgess and Allerton all with shots wide of the target.
Droitwich also squandered several opportunities from set pieces with the Smithswood defence clearing and then hitting the hosts on the counter attack.
Against the run of play, Smithswood made it 4-2 with 13 minutes left as Trea Bertie hit a precision low strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the box and that should have been that.

However 2 minutes later the Saltmen won a free kick deep inside the Firs half and this time converted; Burgess's cross falling to Seabourne to divert home from close range.

Droitwich continued to push forward but Firs held firm as the match finished 3-4. The match official also deciding that 45 minutes exactly was a good time to blow the whistle!

An excellent game of football for the neutral and on reflection a draw would have been a fair result, but once more missed chances cost the Saltmen ahead of another tough test when they visit league leaders NKF Burbage next Saturday.