Droitwich Spa FC produced yet another night to remember at Kingy's to defeat Worcestershire Senior Cup holders Pershore Town and progress to the Semi-Final, in the clubs' debut season in the competition.

Danny Janes's side are setting the Uhlsport Hellenic League Division 1 alight, with a 12-point lead at the top, and were on a fantastic run which had seen 10 straight wins.

It was a cagey first half, as Spa looked panicked on the ball, whilst Town were much more composed, and they created the first meaningful chance, when Tonchev shot at Spa stopper Dom Rogerson.
Droitwich replied when Connor Collins had a shot well stopped by Eddie Cox, whilst Jack Davies shot over the bar.

Both sides could only create half chances throughout an even first half, with the best opportunity falling to Sam Clarke, who also shot over the bar when well positioned.

The game changed though just before the half time whistle when Spa midfielder Cory Rudd was shown a straight red card for a lunging attempt at a tackle on the edge of his own box. The resulting free kick cannoned back off the wall and the referee blew the half time whistle.

The timing of the incident will no doubt have changed both sets of managements' half time team talks, and Spa spent almost the entire second period camped inside their own half, allowing the Plums to control possession whilst looking to hit on the counter attack.

Spa almost took the lead early on when Cox saved Collins' near post effort, but Town will be disappointed that they didn't force any meaningful saves from Rogerson throughout, despite dominating possession. That was testament to Droitwich's grit and tireless defending, working very hard all over the pitch as the clock ticked down.

To the surprise of almost everyone in the ground, on 86 minutes, a speculative deep free kick from Jack Brighton caught visiting 'keeper Cox unaware, and all the stopper could do was palm the ball on to his own net, as the majority of the 463 crowd at Kingy's erupted.

Droitwich just had to hold out for a few more minutes, but it just wasn't to be, as what can only be described as a soft penalty, quickly accorded on 90 minutes allowed Tonchev the chance to level things up and take the tie to penalties, which he duly took.

The players took their places on the halfway line, and produced some excellent penalties.
Haydn Morris was the only Droitwich player to miss when he hit his spot kick over the bar. However, with the chance to win the tie for Pershore, former Spa man James Baldwin's attempt at a nonchalant penalty backfired, as Rogerson comfortably saved.
The two teams headed in to sudden death, and with the score at 8-7 in Spa's favor, Jordan Adams put his penalty over the bar to give The Saltmen the win and spark euphoric scenes both on and off the pitch, to cap yet another memorable evening for Droitwich Spa FC.

The Saltmen await the result of the last Quarter Final tie, between Stourport Swifts and Kidderminster Harriers (played on 7th February) to discover their next opponents, who will visit Kingy's on Tuesday 7th March (ko 7.45pm).
In the other Semi-Final, Redditch United host Evesham United on Tuesday 20th March.

The Saltmen turn their attentions to yet another important League fixture on Saturday, when they welcome 3rd placed Hinckley AFC to Kingy's (ko 3pm), as Andy Crowther's men look to break in to the play-off places.