Droitwich Spa were the victims of an upset in the 1st Round of the Isuzu FA Vase on Saturday.

The Saltmen fell to defeat at United Counties League Division 1 side Radford; Andy Crowther's mens' first defeat in 11 games.

Droitwich started the game well with some good possession, and looking confident on the ball, however a well organised Radford defence were able to snuff out the danger.

The Pheasants opened the scoring on 8 minutes with their first attack of the game as from a corner, Takunda Mushambi's flick on wasn't cleared and Nashien Isman picked up the pieces to fire home from close range.

Droitwich replied through Perry Moss almost instantly, but his shot was deflected wide.

Whilst Spa dominated possession, it was the Pheasants that were more dangerous on the counter attack; danger man Dimmock-Fox had an excellent chance to double the hosts' lead but headed wide on 19 minutes, and on the half hour mark the same player struck a shot off target when well positioned.

Without Jay Sauntson, Cory Rudd and Alex Dugmore due to suspension and injury respectively, the hosts won the physical battle in the first half and Droitwich lack ideas in the final third. They could however have been awarded a penalty when Brighton's cross hit a stray Radford arm in the area which the officials ignored, then Charlie Tilley hit a powerful shot over the bar.
Moss then hit an effort high and wide as Droitwich began to look more dangerous.

The end of the first half was marred by long delays due to medical treatments to respective Captain's Latrelle Paterson, then James Lemon, who took a blow to the back of the head and had to be bandaged before later having stitches.

The imposing Dennan Morgan then found himself in a great position as Radford hit on the counter attack but his shot across goal came back off the post, then Jack Davies's effort from range didn't trouble Abbas being the last action of the half.

Droitwich came quickly out of the blocks in the 2nd half, and having had precious little to worry about previously, Abbas made two good saves from Spa's left back Lewis Phillips in the opening exchanges.

He then denied a subdued Taylor-Randle effort before finally being beaten Charlie Tilley's powerful strike from the edge of the area on the hour mark as Spa evened up the scores.

Radford then showed some attacking initiative and it was Dimmock-Fox causing all the problems - firstly his chipped effort just cleared the cross-bar, then Dom Rogerson made his first meaningful save of the game when he tipped the same players' shot around the post.

Droitwich were still looking to make the inroads but Radford looked the more dangerous on the counter attack, and when Moss lost the ball in the corner, a long punt up-field saw Clayton step up, Dimmock-Fox win a header into the path of Fola Fagbemi who finished well into the bottom corner.

Spa looked more dangerous in the closing stages after the introductions of Liam Livesey, Joe Hurdman and Sam Hurdman; with his first touch the latter got on the end of a cross, beat the stationary Abbas, but hit the post.
Liam Livesey was also millimetres away from an equaliser as well when he slid in to connect with another cross, but the ball ended up just the wrong side of the post.
Droitwich were aggrieved to not have received a penalty in injury time, when Sam Hurdman broke the offside trap, and before being able to pull the trigger was clipped in the area, however the referee waved away the protests of the players and sizeable away contingent.

Charlie Tilley then hit a volley just wide, before Radford substitute Leon Covarne could have put the game to bed but hit his shot on the counter attack off target.

Droitwich return to League action next Saturday (ko 3pm) with a trip to Roman Glass St George.
The two sides are separated at the top of the table by just goal difference so we expect a close and entertaining game down in Bristol.