Darlaston Town 3-1 Saltmen

Spa went down by three goals to one at Darlaston in a game which was an excellent advert for WMRL football.

Both sides enjoyed good spells in the game, with the hosts just shading it on chances.

Town started the brighter of the two in the opening exchanges but both Leon Taylor and Jarrod Grant fired well wide early on.

Spa also looked dangerous on the counter attack with Haydn Morris & Jack Davies (making his full debut) in particular looking lively.

Matty Hunt had a header well saved, and both Lemon and Morris came close as Spa grew in to the game, and it was the visitors who eventally took the lead mid-way through the half as Lemon was fouled in the area after some desperate defending.

Curtis Townley confidently stepped up and buried the penalty in the bottom corner.

It didn't take long however for Darlo to respond; good work down the left and a powerful strike was well saved by Spa 'keeper Sam Hawker, but Leon Taylor was there to pick up the pieces and smashed home the rebound for close range as the two sides went in level at the break.

Droitwich started the second period brightly and home stopper Liam Whittiker had to have his wits about him to deny Lemon early on.

The hosts then gained some momentum and Sam Hawker made an outstanding save from a 25 yard free-kick to tip the ball on to the post as it was cleared out of danger.

The hosts did take a deserved lead though soon after as Hunts loose back-pass was seized upon by Taylor who had the simple task of finishing from close range passed a dispairing Hawker.
Darlo extended their lead soon after as more good work down the right flank dragged a makeshift Spa back-line out of shape and as the ball was worked across the field Noah Diallo finished well from the edge of the box.

The game looked up for Spa, but they kept plugging away and were awarded another penalty after good work from Haydn Morris drew a foul out of Sam Causton.
Townley struck another fine penalty, but an outstanding save from Whittiker maintained the hosts' 2 goal advantage.

Droitwich had further chances and Whittiker made some more decent stops to deny Lemon, but on the day Town just about deserved the win in an entertaining, end-to-end game of high quality football.

The Saltmen will look to get back on track on Bank Holiday Monday when struggling Old Wulfrunians visit Walshes Meadow (ko 3pm) for a first home game of the new campaign.