The Saltmen got back to winning ways in style on Saturday, inflicting a 5-1 defeat on the Divisions' bottom side Smethwick Rangers, who suffered their tenth successive away defeat; a run stretching back to the beginning of September.

Droitwich's intentions were clear from the start as Jack Brighton's low cross-shot was cleared off the line by Jake Lamb in the first minute, before Alex Dugmore headed off target from the next move.

Rangers's 'keeper Owen Burton was in for a busy afternoon and he made his first save on four minutes when he saved well to deny another Dugmore header.

Just one minute later Connor Collins's header then came back off the cross-bar as Smethwick struggled to contain the hosts.

Burton was called into action again in 11 minutes as he saved Brighton's effort from distance, and then James Lemon was millimetres away from breaking the deadlock, but his header from a delightful Nathan Binner cross didn't have enough on it to divert it into a helpless Burton's goal.

The attacks from the home side continued in waves down either flank, as Perry Moss burst into the box his low cross just evaded the onrushing Spa forwards. Collins was then denied by Burton who punched off the line to deny his header from an angle on 22 minutes.

It was one-way traffic and Spa kept the pressure on and finally on 33 minutes the break-though came as Lemon's hold up and lay off for Charlie Tilley allowed the free-scoring midfielder to take a touch and powerfully finish from close range to give Droitwich a 1-0 lead.

Smethwick had won the earlier League meeting 3-1 at Boldmere, but showed very little forward threat over the duration of the game, however with their first effort on goal, which stemmed from a defensive lapse in concentration, R'marni Reid-Miller raced onto the loose ball and finished clinically under the debutant Oliver Sayer to equalise for the visitors.

Reid-Miller had a great opportunity to put Rangers in front just moments later as he received the ball on the edge of the box, but his effort was sliced well wide of Sayer's goal.

Droitwich kicked back into life and Moss's long-range effort was deflected wide, but just 1 minute before the half time whistle, Lemon's low cross was on a plate for Moss who's first time effort nestled into the bottom corner to give the Saltmen a 2-1 lead.

Smethwick started the second half well with some good possession and a couple of crosses launched into the box, however Spa could have extended their lead on 56 minutes when Moss beat the offside trap but his weak shot was straight at Burton who saved with his legs.
Droitwich didn't have to wait long for a third goal however as Burton turned from hero to villain when he brought down Collins in the penalty area.
The Spa striker stepped up to score his 13th League goal of the season and give Spa some breathing room.

Andy Crowthers' side continued to create chances and Burton saved well from Binner's free kick before Moss fired wide of the target and Archie Woodall's header from a deep cross fell the wrong side of the post.

Perry Moss made it 4-1 when Lemon's assist sent him clear of the visiting defence and this time he made no mistake with just Burton to beat.

Just two minutes later and Moss completed his hat-trick as Lemon unselfishly squared to him for a simple tap-in on 84 minutes.

Lemon, who had registered four assists and numerous kilometres over the course of the afternoon was denied the goal that he deserved by Burton, who came to Rangers' rescue again.

The Saltmen had another chance from the penalty spot when the otherwise reliable Elazhari brought down Dugmore, but the Spa defenders' effort from the resulting kick was way over the bar.

A professional performance and convincing win from Droitwich who remain 4th the Midland Football League Division 1.
Next Saturday, the Saltmen have another home game to look forward to when Coventry Copsewood are the visitors (ko 3pm).

Smethwick now find themselves 12 points from safety ahead of next Saturday's must-win 6-pointer in Boldmere when Rangers host Wolves Sporting.