Droitwich Spa FC made a dream return home after four years ground-sharing at Stourport Swifts, with a 3-1 victory over Cradley Town.

The first half was a scrappy affair, and Spa looked nervous in comparison to their opening games, and clear cut chances were at a premium.

It was the visitors who tore up the script to take the lead on 20 minutes, when a free kick on the edge of the box from Hammers top-scorer Jake Crackett evaded everyone and found it's way in to Matt Oliver's net.

The Saltmen upped the ante and enjoyed more possession, but efforts from James Lemon, Perry Moss and Connor Collins didn't trouble Nana Frimpong in the Cradley goal.
Meanwhile the visitors looked threatening on the counter attack, but for the most part, Spa's back-line held firm to limit the number of chances.

Droitwich drew level on 35 minutes from a set-piece, as Perry Moss was upended 25-yards out.
Connor Collins stepped up and struck a sublime free kick in off the underside of the cross-bar which left Frimpong a spectator, for an early goal of the season contender, to the delight of the majority of the 510 club record crowd in attendance.

The weather deteriorated, and despite a couple of half chances for the hosts, the score-line remained locked at 1-1 going in to the break.

Unfortunately the heavy rain didn't let up, which didn't help the game as a spectacle, but Spa managed to control the proceedings after the break, with Town's only meaningful chance falling to Kane Showell, who was thwarted by the on-rushing Matt Oliver.

The introduction of Ollie Thompson for the injured Matt Tyler again paid dividends for Spa, and the winger was a constant threat down the right, however both sides struggled to create clear-cut chances due to the conditions.

It was Droitwich who got their noses in front when Jack Brighton's cross was well finished by Connor Collins 20 minutes from time, and the points were secured two minutes from the final whistle when substitute Haydn Morris twisted and turned before unleashing a precision low drive in to the bottom corner from the edge of the area, to ensure the Saltmen continue their impressive 23-game unbeaten run, 100% record in the Midland Football League Division 1, and a winning start back at home in Droitwich.

A fantastic evening all-round for the club , and the town, who turned up in force to cheer on their local team on it's homecoming in the new stadium, after a 4-year sabbatical.

Next up for Droitwich is a tough looking fixture against fellow newly-promoted Coton Green on Saturday (ko 3pm), who also boast an unbeaten record so far this season.