Bromyard Town and Droitwich Spa played out a closely fought game in difficult conditions at Delahay Meadow, and Spa just did enough to edge out their hosts.

On a windy afternoon, and on a difficult surface, clear goal-scoring chances were at a premium for both sides, who really struggled with both their final ball as well as finishing. It was a day where the respective sides defences were clearly on top, which unfortunately for the large crowd of circa 150 spectators, failed to live up to the billing of an enthralling end-to-end local(ish) derby.

Spa did look the more dangerous throughout, and particularly in the first half where Perry Moss and Jack Brighton caused all sorts of problems down the right hand side.
Both sides were limited to half chances, and none of these half-chances forced Matt Oliver, or his opposite number Alex Rhodes, into any kind of noteworthy save.

For the hosts, Ben Cowlishaw looked the liveliest on the pitch with bags of pace, whilst at the back Charlie Foley dealt with everything that was thrown at him.

Spa started the second half well, with some attacking intent, however once more, chances were at a premium, and the final ball,or, when the ball did arrive to Spa's front-men, the finish was off-target.

Droitwich did make the breakthrough in the 50th minute, and it was telling that a defender scored the only goal of the game!
From Luke Molloy's corner, Alex Dugmore rose highest to fire in a bullet header into the far corner of the net, giving Rhodes no chance of keeping it out. It was the first time that the 'yard had switched off all afternoon and they were made to pay for it.

It was Dugmore's 5th goal of the season in just 14 games!

Andy Crowther threw caution to the wind and made several defensive-minded changes before the final whistle. A change in shape also caused the home side some problems but substitutes Jack Davies and Haydn Morris shot off target.
It could have been a dangerous tactic considering the slim advantage, however the Spa defence did their jobs more than adequately, and the hosts were again limited to a few half chances, none of which caused any problems to Matt Oliver.

Droitwich held on for an important 3 points, an early birthday present for Manager Andy Crowther!
The win was enough to lift Spa up to 2nd in the table, as well as distancing themselves from 5th placed Bromyard.

As a spectacle, it was a disappointing game, however both sides will get a chance to rectify that, as in just over 2 weeks, the return fixture will take place at Walshes Meadow.
Interestingly, Bromyard were the last team to win a competitive game at Walshes Meadow, in the 2018/19 season.