Spa Manager Andy Crowther took the opportunity to rotate his squad in Droitwich Spa's first ever appearance in the Midland Football League Cup. Crowther gave players returning from injury, as well as two debutants, some much needed game time.

Droitwich were one of four MFL Division 1 sides to cause a Cup upset, as Bilston Town, Ashby Ivanoe and Paget Rangers also defeated sides from the Premier Division.

Bewdley Town, situated 1 Divison and 16 places higher than the Saltmen, fielded a close on full strength side, however Droitwich's first half performance was too much for their defence to handle.

It was an even start to the game, with Bewdley enjoying possession but Spa's pace going forward causing all sorts of problems.
Within 10 minutes the visitors took the lead when a pin-point cross from Jack Brighton found the ever-dependable Perry Moss who fired a well-placed header into Haydn Whitcombe's goal, giving the stopper no chance.

Bewdley enjoyed some spells of possession, but when they did get in to shooting positions, the efforts were wayward.
Dom Rogerson, making his debut for Droitwich, pulled off a fine save from close range to deny Connor Jakeways, and the hosts then hit the cross-bar through top scorer Dylan Hart's effort.

Droitwich created further chances for Keatley Charles, Perry Moss and Ollie Thompson, the latter pulled a fine save from Whitcombe to tip around the post.

Keatley Charles was replaced mid-way through the half as he pulled up with an injury, just a couple of weeks after returning to first team action and was replaced by James Lemon.

Droitwich got a deserved 2nd to take a 2-goal lead into the break, after good work from Ollie Thompson found Charlie Tilley in the area, whose low drive was too hot for Whitcombe to handle, as he saved but then watch the ball trickle over the line.

There was still time for Lemon to force a stop from the Town 'keeper before half time, and Spa narrowly missed out a 3rd from a well worked set piece, to end a half which the Saltmen were good value for their 2-goal lead.

As expected, Town had the better of the opening exchanges in the second act, and Rogerson saved well from Jakeways, Hart and Foley, but could do little about Bewdley's first goal of the evening; a powerful drive was well saved, but Callum Gillies was well placed to stab home the rebound.

Spa played well on the counter, and soon restored their two-goal lead through Sam Hurdman, who, on his first start for the club in a competitive fixture, was on hand to side foot in Ollie Thompsons low cross from yards out.

There were further chances for Lemon & Thompson, and then Hurdman curled a fantastic dipping effort from 30-yards off the underside of the cross-bar with Whitcomb beaten for what would have been a goal of the season contender.

Bewdley pressed for a second, which duly came through substitute Ben Worthington 5-minutes from time - his low drive across goal gave Rogerson little chance.
Droitwich held firm to collect yet another impressive win against higher-ranked opposition, and secured a ticket through to the second round when the Saltmen face equally difficult opposition at MFL Premier side Studley.

MFL League Cup 1st Round results:
Ashby Ivanoe 3-0 Uttoxeter Town
Whitchurch Alport 4-1 Haughmond
Racing Club Warwick 1-2 Paget Rangers
Shifnal Town 0-2 Lye Town
Wolverhampton Sporting 2-2 Smethwick Rangers (Smethwick win 7-8 on penalties)
Bewdley Town 2-3 Droitwich Spa
Wednesfield 1-4 Tividale
AFC Wulfrunians 1-3 Bilston Town
Worcester City 0-3 Stourport Swifts

2nd Round fixtures (Dates TBC)
Atherstone Town v Chelmsley Town
Coton Green v Romulus
Coventry Copsewood v Hinckley AFC
Heath Hayes v Stone O.A
Highgate United v Lichfield City
Ingles v Ashby Ivanoe
Market Drayton Town v Whitchurch Alport
Nuneaton Griff v Stapenhill
Paget Rangers v OJM Black Country
Shawbury United v AFC Bridgnorth
Lye Town v Smethwick Rangers
Studley v Droitwich Spa
Walsall Wood v Dudley Town
Tividale v Darlaston Town
Wolverhampton Casuals v Bilston Town
Stourport Swifts v Cradley Town