Last Saturday saw Droitwich travel to the Forest of Dean to take on an improving Lydney Town side who, for the first time this season, came into the game on the back of two consecutive victories. The Spa side was also on a run of six games unbeaten and surely on a high after comprehensively shattering Roman Glass St George’s unbeaten record last time out.

Droitwich manager Andy Crowther had to shuffle the cards with his team selections ahead of the Lydney trip.
Shorn of the services of Cory Rudd and Ben Tilbury and still without the long term injured Matt Jackson and Josh Hurdman, Spa stalwart Alex Dugmore, making his 200th appearance for the Saltmen, returned to his old role at Centre Back.
Fan favourite Dugmore initially made his name as a combative ball winning centre back but secured his place in the hearts of the Spa faithful towards the end of the 2023-24 season when he stepped into the striker’s role so successfully that he made the position his own the following season.

The game itself may not go down as a classic.
Droitwich enjoyed the best of the first half, creating the majority of the better chances.
Had fortune favoured the Saltmen, Nathan Binner, James Lemon and Charlie Tilley could have found their names on the scoresheet before the first goal arrived on 25 minutes. An excellent cross from Jack Brighton was met by the head of Reiss Taylor-Randle who converted the chance and recorded his third goal in three games.
Spa continued to create opportunities but Causon in the Town goal remained resolute and made some important stops for his team. Halftime came with the score still 0-1 to the visiting Saltmen.

The second half started brightly for Droitwich who doubled their lead with only three minutes gone.
The mercurial Perry Moss is clearly close to full match fitness, and his mazy run and close control ended with a curling 12 yard shot at goal with Causon reduced to being a spectator as the ball found the far corner.

Spa appeared comfortable with their lead until the hour mark when Charlie Tilley was penalised for a challenge in the penalty area and the referee awarded a penalty to Lydney. Fortunately for his teammates, Dom Rogerson went the right way and completed an excellent save to preserve the two goal lead.
Rogerson was called upon again on 75 minutes. This time his reflexes managed parry a point blank save but the ball fell to Symmonds who made no mistake, halving the Saltmen’s lead.

Despite being reduced to ten players after former Birmingham City player Matt Green was sent off for dissent, Lydney pressed for an equaliser but Spa held firm until the final whistle and brought all three points back to Worcestershire.

With other results going in Droitwich's favour this took the Saltmen back to the top of the table.

Droitwich return to action at Kingys on Saturday (ko 3pm) when they will look to consolidate their league position with a win over visitors from Royal Wootton Bassett.