Droitwich Spa 1-1 Northfield Town (Town win 5-4 on penalties)

Saltmen crash out of Presidents Cup in the Quarter Final stage

Another below par performance from the Saltmen saw them bow out of the Presidents Cup on penalties and continue their dreadful form at Walshes Meadow.

The first half was a non event with few goal scoring chances created at either end. Matty Oliver was the busier of the two 'keepers denying the lively Stewart Stanford, Shaun Hunter and Patrik Beehan from giving Town the lead.
The major talking point of the half was when Northfield captain David Glaze hobbled off after 20 minutes after an innocuous looking challenge by James Lemon.

Both defences were on top, but it was Northfield who looked the most likely to score throughout the game - the hosts lacking creativity going forward and accuracy with their passing which proved difficult in breaching a well organised Town defence as the temperature dropped and the pitch firmed up.

It was Droitwich however who took the lead - good work from Haydn Morris who broke into the box before being hacked down saw the referee have no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Max Crisp stepped up and converted the penalty well, gving the until then under-worked Jack O'Day in the Town goal no chance.

It was only a matter of time until Northfield got their inevitable equaliser - a quick break down the left put Stanford in and he finished well when one on one with Oliver, despite Townley's best efforts to keep the ball out on 76minutes.

Northfield looked to win the tie (which they should have done) as chances came and went for Stanford, Spink, Hunter and Beehan and Droitwich looked content to play for penalties. Spa's hearts were in mouths as a Glover back-pass creeped between Oliver's legs and luckily for them the ball trickled just wide of the far post!

Town won the tie 5-4 as Jack Allerton saw his spot kick saved by O'Day while Crisp, Townley, Seabourne and Morris converted.

A deserved win for Northfield and man of the match Stanford was the marksman who won the tie as he converted the final penalty.