By Millie Lambert

The Saltmen have booked their place in the final of The Challenge Cup after a well earned 4-1 victory against Slimbridge on Saturday afternoon.

The game started with Droitwich on top which saw a shot from Cory Rudd just go wide after a good save from the 'keeper Sarkodie in the 7th minute.

It then became more even as the minutes went on with both teams having good chances in front of goal.
Slimbridge turned on the pressure and goalkeeper, Joe Stockton, made a couple of good saves to keep the ball out of the net.

However, the deadlock was broken on the stroke of half time when a Slimbridge cross from the right found number 7, Joe Shutt, whose shot went through the keepers’ legs and into the goal.

The second half started very scrappy with neither side dominating the ball.

However the whole game changed in the last 20 minutes when Slimbridge goalkeeper, Stephen Sarkodie, was handed a straight red card after bringing down James Lemon who was through on goal.
Droitwich were awarded a penalty and one of Slimbridge’s outfield player was given the keeper role.

A confident Ben Tilbury took the spot kick in the 70th minute and placed the ball in the back of the net making it 1-1.

The second goal came from a Lemon pass into the box which found Nathan Binner who slotted it home just a minute after the first goal.

Droitwich were in the driving seat and the team was awarded another penalty in the 73rd minute after a foul on Alex Dugmore in the box.
Ben Tilbury scored the second penalty giving him his second goal and the team’s third goal of the afternoon.

The Spa continued with their dominance and scored a fourth in the 81st minute. The stand-in Slimbridge 'keeper dropped the ball whilst trying to defend from a free kick and Sam Hurdman was there for the follow up to make it 4-1.

The win means Droitwich will compete with Hereford Pegasus In the Final, which will be played on Sunday 29th March at The KGD stadium, Hereford. Kick off time is TBC.