Droitwich Spa 2-0 Whitchurch Alport

Droitwich Spa made it through to the Buildbase FA Vase 2nd round thanks to yet another impressive performance against higher ranked opposition as they eliminate North-West Counties League side Whitchurch Alport.
Before the game, Whitchurch had only suffered one league defeat added to one in FA Cup qualification, and sat 2nd in the league - what seemed like a mammoth task for the Saltmen to further progress in the Buildbase FA Vase.

The 203 spectators present were treated to an exciting and even first half - in the opening exchanges the two sides traded blows, and Spa 'keeper Matt Oliver saved the hosts from going behind with two world-class saves to deny Stephen Jones & Sean Griffiths.
Jack Davies & James Lemon were causing all sorts of problems for the Shropshire visitors, and Droitwich replied with a Ben Tilbury free-kick and a powerful Matty Hunt header which were both just wide of the mark.

Oliver was at it again with the heroics- this time to deny Joe Cuff whilst Ben Tilbury gave Alport stopper David Parton an effort to save.
Alport enjoyed the better of the proceedings for a 15 minute spell and Droitwich weathered the storm to finish the half strongly.

The Saltmen came out of the dressing room extra motivated for the second period, and Alport had problems containing the hosts. Connor Collins came mightily close on two occasions to give Spa the lead, but Parton saved well to keep the game at 0-0.

Alport skipper Darren Campion was lucky to get away with receiving a second yellow card as Droitwich turned the screw, and on 61 minutes Spa's attacking persistence finally paid off as Tilbury fed Jordan Cox who made no mistake in firing the ball passed Parton in the visiting goal to give the hosts the lead.

Droitwich didn't rest on their laurels, and Alport were reduced to precious few chances - the best of which a free-kick on the edge of the area which Stephen Jones flashed narrowly wide of Oliver's goal.

Spa almost went 2 up when Connor Collins' free-kick came crashing back off the wood-work, but 5 minuted later Jordan Cox got his second of the afternoon - an absolute gift from Whitchurch 'keeper David Parton whose indecision allowed Cox in to tap home from close range; cue delirium for the home supporters with just over 10 minutes to go.

Ben Tilbury and Connor Collins could have extended the hosts' lead further, whilst at the other end Stephen Jones headed over when well positioned, but the game finished with an impressive & historic 2-0 victory for Droitwich Spa, which few saw coming but was well deserved.