Spa’s run of four consecutive league wins came to a crushing end in the face of an onslaught from an impressive Slimbridge side who trade places with the Saltmen at the top of the table.

It was Droitwich's biggest defeat in 12 years, and only the second time The Saltmen have failed to score in 18-months!

The Swans were clinical whereby Spa were hesitant in front of goal. They won way more than their share of 50/50 balls and, yes, they did have a bit of luck too.

From the start, it was clear that Spa were in a game. In only the second minute, Stokes hit the woodwork after some neat work from Rodgers. On 15 minutes Spa fashioned their first chance but Sarkodie in the Swans goal was equal to Charlie Tilley’s headed effort.

A minute later the deadlock was broken as Jack W Smith broke clear and put the ball past Dom Hill in the Spa goal. Ten minutes later, he doubled his tally after stealing the ball from Cory Rudd and putting a no doubter past Hill.

A double injury blow did nothing to help the Droitwich effort.
First Jack Brighton left the field due to a leg injury to be replaced by Joe Hurdman, meaning Reiss Taylor-Randle moved to right back.
A short time later, Spa captain James Lemon retired hurt and was replaced by Perry Moss.
In spite of the enforced changes, the red and blacks finished the half strongly with a spell of pressure on the visitors’ defence. A powerful strike by Cory Rudd was blocked and the danger quickly cleared.

Again, the visitors started the second half strongly and, much like in the first half, quickly created a good chance with Jack W Smith coming very close to claiming his hat-trick only to see his shot go narrowly wide. The Swans were not to be denied and on 51 minutes Jack Smith joined his teammate and namesake on the score sheet. A slick move, great cross and deadly headed finish, this may have been the goal of the game.

The Saltmen were not done yet though. On 54 minutes, Joe Hurdman’s shot was cleared off the line. In a decent spell of pressure, Joe then forced Sarkodie into a smart save on 54 minutes.
With 70 minutes on the clock, a remarkable comeback might just have been feasible as Hutchings was adjudged to have fouled Perry Moss in the area.
The referee awarded a penalty but Moss’s penalty drew an excellent save from Sarkodie. The resulting corner turned into a goalmouth scramble but Jay Sauntson’s close range strike was blocked on the line.

With Cory Rudd taking a break in the sinbin the Swans took full advantage of their numerical advantage with a 25 yard shot from Jack W Smith finding the net and completing his hat trick.

Good work from Spa full back Joe Clayton delayed a fifth goal when clearing an Ahmed effort off the line. But that fifth goal did arrive when Ahmed’s strike from 25 yards took a massive deflection to find the top corner. A sixth goal arrived on 87 minutes to complete the scoring and compound the Saltmen’s misery.

With seven regular first team players injured and watching from the sidelines, the two further injuries this evening will stretch manager Andy Crowther’s playing resources to near breaking point ahead of the two away games over the bank holiday weekend.
The lads have responded positively in the face of adversity before and I’m sure there will be no panic in the camp.

Congratulations to Slimbridge for an impressive performance and good look for the rest of the season.
On today’s evidence, it could be quite successful.