The tie will be played between Droitwich Spa and Worcester Raiders at Kingy's, which counts as a local derby, and the fifth time this season that the two clubs have met!

Whilst Raiders won both Cup games (0-3 in the Worcestershire Senior Cup at Kingy's and 4-2 in the Wiseman Lighting Cup at the DOADC Stadium), Spa were victorious in both League games (4-2 at Kingy's and 1-3 in the return fixture a few weeks ago).

Droitwich finished the season in 3rd position on 76 points and defeated 4th placed Cirencester Town in the Play-off Semi Final (1-0). It has been the Saltmen's first ever campaign at Step 5 having won Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 1 as Champions in 2024-25.

Raiders have completed their 3rd season at Step 5, and with three top half finishes, this is their first appearance in the Play-offs.
They finished in 5th position on 70 points, and ran out 1-2 winners at 2nd placed Roman Glass St George in the Semi Final with a notable world class goal from Jordan Stoddart to set up this eagerly awaited Final.
The Worcester side declared promotion as their target for the season, whilst Spa were content with a mid-table finish to gain some stability at the Level this campaign, thus surpassing expectations considerably.

Interest from the public has been high, with the fixture sold out within 48 hours of going on sale!
That means a full to capacity Kingy's and also a club record attendance, beating a previous crowd of 973.

The Saltmen have reached the Play-offs in various Leagues for three of the past four seasons, and whilst Andy Crowther's men have won every single Play-off Semi Final, they have yet to win a Final.
Both previous Finals were played away from home, at Ashby Ivanhoe (2-1) and OJM Black Country, where OJM won on penalties after the tie ended 1-1.

Needless to say, Saturday's teams know each other very well over the last season, as well as in previous League campaigns, where until 2025, The Saltmen were yet to beat the DOADC side.
Raiders' Cam Monteith previously played for Spa and Manager Jordan Lewis also Manged Droitwich Development side several years ago.
On the other side, Aaron Drake, James Baldwin and Charlie Tilley have all had brief spells at Raiders in the past.

We are set for a cagey and tense affair no doubt this coming Saturday in front of a huge crowd for a Step 5 game; last season's play-off Final between Inkberrow and Highworth drew an attendance of 634, where Inkberrow progressed 1-0 in their own first ever season at Step 5.

We are very grateful to our Match Sponsor for the afternoon Lee Russell Funeral Directors, and Match Ball Sponsor SmartCut Ltd.

As per usual, two bars, burger van, tea shack and club shop will be open and both cash & card payments are accepted throughout the ground.

Matchday programmes on sale at £1

If you would like a programme and/or a seat in the stand, then we advise that you enter the ground as early as possible!

The gates open at 1.30pm, kick off at 3pm; please bring either a printed or digital version of your tickets with you, and present for scanning at the gate.

We look forward to welcoming you all on Saturday where one Worcestershire side will gain promotion to Step 4!