Droitwich Spa bowed out of the Worcestershire Senior Cup at the first hurdle to Pitching In Southern Central Premier Division neighbours Bromsgrove Sporting on Tuesday night at Kingy's.
The result meant that the Saltmen suffered a first home defeat of the campaign.

The Rouslers showed their quality in the first half and the gap of three Divisions was evident, as they dominated possession almost from start to finish and carving out numerous chances against a nervous looking Droitwich who were rushed in possession.
The first opportunity fell to Keiran Cook, who, after an incursion from the left wing was denied at the near post by Dom Rogerson.

Spa replied on the counter attack when Josh Hurdman drove forward, and seeing Charlie McNamara off his line when for an ambitious dipping effort from 35-yards that narrowly missed the target.

Bromsgrove opened the scoring on 10 minutes as a corner to the back post found former Derby and Watford man Theo Robinson who scrambled home from close range.

The Spa defence the had to be alert to again deny Robinson's header; Matt Jackson heading off the line, and from the follow-up, Roberts's powerful drive from 25-yards was well saved by Rogerson.

Droitwich had a good 10-men spell of play before the break as first Sam Carey hit a volley that went just wide, then Jack Brighton broke into the visiting penalty area and hit a low, corner bound drive that McNamara made a brilliant one-handed save to parry, Charlie Tilley's follow up then hit the cross-bar before Perry Moss's effort was blocked away after some last ditch Sporting defending.

Spa started the second half as they finished the first, and had the better opportunities until the end.

McNamara had to be alert to save from Hurdman and Moss, before punching clear impressively Hurdman's powerful free kick.

Finally the breakthrough came for the hosts, as Sporting gave away possession, Hurdman raced clear down the right, found Alex Dugmore who turned his marker and drilled a low cross that Moss slid in to score at the back post which was no less than Spa deserved.

Droitwich continued to threaten and Moss saw a curling effort narrowly clear the crossbar before McNamara saved well from a volley.

After playing 60 minutes with 10 men on Saturday, Andy Crowther made several substitutions, and the Saltmen after a fantastic effort, tired in the last 10 minutes.

With just 3 minutes remaining a pinpoint cross from the right hand side found Cook who produced an unstoppable header from close range to give Sporting a late lead.

Droitwich pressed on and forced a corner, however the ball was cleared and Shaquille Leachman-Whittingham sprinted clear of the outnumbered Spa defence, Rogerson raced out and produced a brilliant save to deny him and then Crook, before the ball fell kindly to the former who tapped home from close range.

The score-line was harsh on Droitwich, who can be proud that they matched their opposition for significant periods of the game but ultimately bowed out of the competition in an entertaining local derby.

On Saturday, Droitwich are at home again in another Cup Competition; the Marsh Challenge Cup 2nd Round, when Cheltenham Saracens are the visitors (ko 3pm).