The Saltmen put in a fantastic performance to overcome Midland Football League Premier Division side Dudley Town in the Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round on Friday evening, securing Droitwich Spa's first ever win in the competition.

Both sides went into the tie after two consecutive defeats in their respective League games, and it was Dudley who started the game stronger in the opening quarter of an hour without troubling Dom Rogerson in the Spa goal.

The Saltmen were without Lewis Phillips, Sam Carey, Curtis Smith & Jamie Townsend going into the game, but the first chance fell to the visitors when Rohan Levy headed on Nathan Binner's cross, but straight at home 'keeper Joe Cunneen.

Droitwich grew into the contest, and had a strong shout for a penalty when Alex Dugmore appeared to be wrestled to the ground on 17 minutes but the referee waved away the protest. Dudley went straight up the other end and powerful striker Charlier Muir twisted and turned into a shooting position but fired wide.

George Dalton, making his first start for Spa looked lively down the left flank but spurned an opportunity to put Droitwich a goal ahead by firing a weak finish straight at Cunneen.
Moments later, Droitwich were dealt a blow as Sam Hurdman had to be replaced with a hamstring injury with Bailey Bow taking his place.

An entertaining first half continued and a first test for Rogerson when he denied Muir a certain goal from close range; this was to be the Robins' best chance of the game.

The hosts would soon live to rue that miss, as on 34 minutes, Dalton beat his man and produced a low cross for Archie Thurston to prod home into the far corner; Droitwich's first goal of the season being the last noteworthy action of the half.

The Saltmen came quickly out of the blocks in the second half and Thurston was millimeters away from his second of the game after another low cross, from Perry Moss.

Alex Dugmore couldn't get a clean strike at the ball when well positioned, but his scuffed effort was goal bound before Cunneen got down well to smother the ball.

Spa's dominance was rewarded on 53 minutes when a fine solo effort from George Dalton found the bottom corner to cue jubilant scenes from the large away following.

Goalscorer Archie Thurston had to be replaced following an injury, and whilst Droitwich allowed the hosts to control possession, The Robins couldn't break down well drilled Spa defence.

It was the visitors who could have rounded off the game in style and looked the more threatening on the counter attack as Perry Moss spurned 3 excellent chances during the second half, James Lemon was denied well by Cunneen and Nathan Binner saw an in-swinging corner headed off the goal-line by Ben Cassady with Cunneen beaten.

At the other end, Dudley couldn't fructify their possession into any goalscoring chances, and to further frustrate the new look side, Omario Ford was booked for simulation in injury time and Droitwich progressed to the next Round, where they face another Away trip, to the winners of Stourport Swifts vs Hanley Town.