Two of the MFL Division 1's form sides in Bilston Town and Droitwich Spa went head to head on Bank Holiday Monday, both hoping to keep up their play-off aspirations, and both sides were on unbeaten runs stretching 8 matches, with just six points between them.

In front of a bumper crowd at Queen Street, it was Spa that started in blistering fashion as Cory Rudd's precision volley from the edge of the area gave the Saltmen a 0-1 advantage with just 4-minutes on the clock.

Bilston from then on enjoyed the majority of possession in the first period, however clear-cut chances where few and far between; the best of which falling to top scorer Dan Westwood who fired over, then Dom Rogerson was on hand to make a fine double save in one of several goal-mouth scrambles.

The Saltmen were happy to sit back and absorb the Steelmen's pressure, which they did expertly for the majority, before hitting on the counter and Stourbridge loanee Kai Lloyd saved well from Moss whilst Dugmore and Braiden-Smith headed over.

In the second period Spa really put their foot on the gas, and Alex Dugmore doubled the visitors' advantage on 52 minutes with a close range finish.

The windy conditions caused havoc for both teams, however Droitwich used it to their advantage in the second period, where Town were largely ineffective as Rogerson had little to do, and it was 0-3 when leading scorer James Lemon beat the offside trap to smash a low shot across Lloyd and in to the far corner.

There was more to come however, when substitute Josh Hurdman took on his marker before drilling an early shot in off the near post for 0-4 with 8 minutes left to play.

It was an excellent all-round display from Droitwich, who were applauded off the pitch by the 100 or so travelling fans as well as the home support at the end, sealing their place in the play-offs with this convincing victory.

Andy Crowther's side have two games remaining of the regular season, starting on Saturday when Nuneaton Griff visit Kingy's (ko 3pm) before the final game at Cradley Town on Saturday 22nd April.

Droitwich will have to wait to find out their opponents in the Play-off semi-finals, and indeed the location, as results over the next fortnight will dictate the final standings.
The side finishing in 2nd will have a home tie with the 5th placed team, whilst the 3rd placed team will host 4th, so Andy Crowther will no doubt be looking for an unbeaten end to the season to finish as high as possible in the League, in what has already been a massive achievement for the Saltmen!