The game started brightly with both sides making positive raids into opposition territory. The hosts were the first to look seriously like taking the lead and had it not been for Nathan Binner back-tracking to clear from his own goal line, they would have done so.
Good attacking efforts by Charlie Tilley and Josh Hurdman were thwarted before an improvised header from Alex Dugmore struck the woodwork with the Pegasus goalkeeper Matt Apperley caught backpedalling. The rebound was cleared from danger and within seconds the hosts were on the front foot when a strong break down the left side resulted in a smart strike across Dom Rogerson into the bottom corner from Harry Pitman and the home side took the lead in the 23rd minute.
Both sides maintained their attacking principles but the Peggies began to assert some dominance. It was no surprise when the lead was extended to 2 after 41 minutes as Carlos Moreira doubled his teams' lead to go into the halftime break with scores at 2-0.

It took only 5 minutes for the lead to become 3 after the re-start with a well placed header from Moreira, and Spa looked out for the count.

This prompted the Droitwich bench into action; the luckless Joe Clayton was replaced by Joe Hurdman, a move which required Alex Dugmore to return to his old stomping ground in the back four while skipper James Lemon took over the strikers' role.
This shuffling of the pack paid immediate dividends with Ben Tilbury turning a tempting cross home with a precise header to register Spa’s first goal at Step 5. More was to come.

Two minutes later and Josh Hurdman lashed a loose ball into the roof of Apperley's goal, reducing the deficit to one.

As the game reached a crescendo, Alex Dugmore was adjudged to have fouled his opponent in the Spa box.
The referee awarded a penalty which was converted confidently by Jordan Williamson. 4-2 with 60 minutes played.

Reiss Taylor-Randle gave way to Jack Davies and the Saltmen turned up the heat.
The visitors pressed hard and closed their opponents in midfield. The pace and control of Joe Hurdman had the Hereford men on the back foot. Unable to lay a glove on the mercurial teenager, they were equally unable to stop brother Josh’s cross reaching him and Joe’s powerful finish found the target for 4-3 with 20 minutes to play.

With Spa enjoying their best spell of the game the supporters dared to dream they could come away from the game with at least one point. Dreams looked like becoming reality on 72 minutes when James Lemon was clattered on the goal line by a stray boot after the ball had gone. To the travelling supporters’ delight, the referee awarded a penalty which Ben Tilbury tucked away without fuss, and after being 3-0 down, the Saltmen managed to equalise. Four all.

Droitwich keeper Dom Rogerson made a strong contribution to the team efforts on 75 minutes making a great near post save to maintain parity. Chances came and went for both sides.
The home side felt they had retaken the lead on 83 minutes but the ball was cleared off the line then, with five minutes to play, Pegasus were reduced to ten men.
The numerical advantage did not deter Pegasus and they struck the decisive blow ss the game entered added time.

The ball was played over to their left side. There seemed little imminent danger until the ball was struck with venom, travelled 30 yards untouched into the far top corner of the Spa goal. It was either a wonder strike of ‘worldy’ proportions or a misdirected cross from Williamson, but it makes no difference as Pegasus had the lead and protected it for the remaining couple of minutes until the final whistle.

Sadly, for the large number of Spa fans who swelled the 306 attendance, Droitwich finished on the wrong end of a ‘best of nine’ score line.

However, there were plenty of positives to be taken from the game. Due to suspensions and July holidays only one of last season’s back four was available. This presented an opportunity for Rohan Levy to make his full debut for the Saltmen. The graduate of last season’s all-conquering Under 18s squad continued to build on an impressive pre-season campaign and can be very pleased with his performance.

Likewise, Joe Hurdman will continue to cause selection headaches for the management team, making a strong argument for inclusion in the starting eleven.

All in all, an encouraging performance by the Saltmen and great value for the neutral spectators.