Paget Rangers 0-1 Droitwich Spa

Droitwich Spa got back to winning ways on Saturday with a first ever away win over Paget Rangers, a first away win of the season and a clean sheet to boot.

The opening quarter of an hour was a quiet affair with neither side able to create any clear cut chances, and the defences were well and truly on top as their respective offside traps worked to perfection!

Droitwich started to take control of the encounter however, and Perry Moss squandered the first of many Saltmen opportunities of afternoon when he fired wide of the mark when well positioned.
Just moments later Josh Hurdman hit a low drive wide of the post, and in even quicker succession, Lewis Phillips found himself in unfamiliar territory just yards from the opposition goal, but his shot was straight at Bears' stopper Lewis Riley who comfortable saved.

On 20 minutes, Perry Moss raced clear and with just Riley to beat, with Roland Krol waiting for a square pass and tap in, the Spa winger decided to go for glory but again shot straight at Riley.

The Saltmen were able to carve out numerous other chances before the break but Connor Collins, Hurdman, Tilley and Krol all shot off target.

The closest Droitwich came was a fine run down the right wing by Krol, whose low driven cross just evaded the on-rushing Ellington and then Perry Moss who couldn't quite make contact from 3 yards out, and the two sides headed in to the dressing room tied at 0-0.

Spa started the second half as they finished the first with plenty of possession and sustained pressure on the Paget goal, and Josh Hurdman, who could have netted a double-hat-trick over the afternoon fired wide before Tilley's effort was blocked.

James Lemon was then introduced and with his first touch sent Moss clear, who beat the on-rushing Riley to the ball; his deft touch was goal bound but Ellington was there to clear off the line for the second time in the afternoon, having earlier denied Collins.

It was Riley's turn to save the hosts once again when Josh Hudman's cut inside and curling effort, which was bottom corner bound, was tipped wide, then substitute Sam Hurdman made his return from injury and almost marked it with a goal, but his attempted chip was saved by Riley.

Paget worked extremely hard all afternoon, but were unable to construct any clear cut chances throughout the encounter; the final ball lacked quality and Spa defended resolutely, whilst Joel Chadwick commanded his area well when called upon. The Spa stopper wasn't called in to any serious action.

Droitwich kept plugging away and carved out yet more chances for Josh Hurdman, James Lemon, and Max Loveridge as the Saltmen got closer and the Bears were tiring.

Paget Captain Jai Berry was shown a red card with a little over 10 minutes to play, and at this point Droitwich went for the jugular, and Riley made two superb point-blank saves in quick succession to deny Lemon then Tilley.

Tilley again got in on goal, this time down the right and his fierce volley at the near post was again brilliantly saved by Riley.

It was all hands to the pump for Paget; Riley the saviour again in another scramble which culminated in Josh Hurdman firing his effort over when well positioned.

In the last minute of the 90, Droitwich's pressure finally paid off when Josh Hurdman found himself in space, he took the ball around a couple of defenders and Riley before slotting home in to an empty net to hand Spa all three points.

Droitwich are back at home on Tuesday evening when they receive the visit of Cradley Town (ko 7.45pm) in the Midland Football League Division 1.
The Hammers have had a fantastic start to the season and tasted defeat for the first time this weekend (3-1 at newly promoted Allscott Heath) in what we anticipate will be a close and exciting game.