'Sham Sink Spa At Home

Spa looked to open thier account in the Summer League with a win against Evesham at home. Ties between these sides have always been close, as you only have to look to the winter league season where Droitwich lost a tight encounter 3-2 at home.

Droitwich started this fixture with the same squad that started the away fixture against Pershore. The continuity showed in the opening quarter as Droitwich opened up positively finding their passes and working the ball out wide to Marcus Claytor and Matthew Darbyshire who created havoc with in the Evesham defence. From a move down Spa right hand side Matthew Darbyshire dribbled into the circle leaving defenders in his wake as he finished stylishly on the reverse stick to put Droitwich ahead as he wrong footed the keeper.

Evesham kept being caught in possession as Spa pushed further forward allowing Alexei Payne; Richard Waters and Lee Wakelham to put extra pressure on the defence. Craig Timmis scuffed an effort wide of the neat post; Matthew Lee undercut effort sailed over the bar before Marcus Claytor and Craig Timmis failed to beat Evesham Keeper from close range from other presentable chance.

Droitwich were made to pay for being profligate in front of goal as Evesham equalised from a penalty flick. Droitwich conceded a needless penalty corner, and the low flick caught Alexei Payne foot on the line which denied a clear goal scoring opportunity. The resulting flick was dispatched high to George Robertshaw right hand side. Evesham went ahead on 30 minutes with another penalty flick which was conceded by Matthew Darbyshire who slid in to stop the ball crossing the line as Spa were exposed at the back once more. Darbyshire was lucky not to be carded. Evesham attacker dispatched the ball low to Robertshaw right to leave the half time score 2-1 to the away side.

Droitwich openeed the second half in the same vein, putting attacking moves together with the trio Lee Wakelham; Richard Water and Matthew Darbyshire at the heart of the best moves. Marcus Claytor was denied twice by last ditch tackles as Evesham looked jittery. Droitwich pressure finally tolled midway through the period as Joseph Neal popped up in the circle comfortably dispatching a flicked effort passed the keeper. The lead last 7 minutes before Evesham edged ahead again with another neat finish. Matthew Lee was released next when one on one with the keeper but could not finish and get the equaliser for the third time. Spa finally equalised from a fabulous cross from the left hand side which was supplied by Matthew Darbyshire and Craig Timmis deflected the ball into the keepers top right hand corner of the net to leave the score 3-3 with four minutes to spare.

Evesham had one final attack in the dying seconds, and their striker scored a controversial winner as Spa were asking for back stick, as Evesham striker skilfully brought the ball down on the edge of the area and dispatched it into the bottom left hand corner of the goal. This left Spa hearbroken.

Spa look to pick up the pieces next Wednesday as they enetertain Worcester, at Worcester University.

Cpatain Barry Williams is looking for a bit of luck as he explains.
" Droitwich over the last two games have produced some good team Hockey moving the ball around, but have not been ruthless enough when being on top. The team just need to keep playing this way and to look after the ball better and a win will come as we have not been ouplayed totally in either game we have played so far".