Tividale 1-2 Droitwich Spa

The Saltmen produced an outstanding performance to knock out MFL Premier Division outfit Tividale - a side two divisions higher, and with it made club & town history as the first Droitwich side to reach the 1st Round proper of the Buildbase FA Vase.

Despite the 2 division difference between the sides, Droitwich controlled the first half and could have opened the scoring early on through Connor Collins, however the lively visitors didn't take long to find the back of the net as a sumptuous through ball from Tilbury set Jack Davies away down the right wing.
He cut inside and fired a low drive through the legs of the on-rushing Louis Connor in the 'Dale goal to give Spa the lead.

Tividale struggled to get going and Matt Oliver didn't have a serious save to make however the hosts' pace & attacking quality was a constant menace, the Spa back-line of Phillips, Dugmore, Hunt and Seeley were well organised and dealt with any threats well.

Droitwich should have been 2-0 up on 20 minutes as a melee in the home area saw three Droitwich efforts saved or repelled on the line before Connor tipped Collins's shot around the post.
Spa remained in the ascendancy with a flurry of corners and Lemon also came close, but Connor Collins sent the sizable away contingent into raptures as he put Droitwich 2-0 ahead with a well placed strike 10 minutes before the break.

Tividale manager Dave King made a double substitution at half time in a bid to get back into the game, and as expected the second half saw the hosts on the front foot. Droitwich defended valiantly however as Luke Carter, Dan Smith and Jake Webb all were wide of the mark.

'Dale were handed a life-line on the hour mark as Matt Oliver spilled a shot at the feet of Carter who was clipped by the 'keeper and the Referee pointed to the spot.

It was Spa's lucky day as Darragh Bustin's penalty had plenty of power but crashed against the cross-bar and Droitwich retained their 2-0 lead.

The Saltmen were a threat on the counter attack as Haydn Morris, Ben Tilbury and James Lemon all had half chances before Tividale got a goal back as Carter reduced the arrears on 75 minutes to set up a nervy last quarter.

Droitwich threw everyone behind the ball and Andy Crowther was brought on to add an extra body at the back, however Tivi will be disappointed that they didn't trouble Matt Oliver more despite pinning the visitors back in their own half and gaining numerous corners. Droitwich held on though to obtain a memorable victory and progress the the Buildbase FA Vase 1st Round - more details to follow.