Spa Away Day Success Against Stratford

DSHC played away at Stratford High School looking to build on their impressive away form against a Stratford side who struggled to score in their opening two league games but had a solid defence. Droitwich started the game quickly launching raids down both flanks as Spa dominated the midfield for the opening 20mins. Spa first opportunity was calved out with neat interplay down the right, and Mathew Mason firing the ball to the back stick where Michael Carsberg narrowly missed. After this, Black and Gold pushed Stratford back into their half, and the incessant pressure resulting in penalty corners being awarded. Droitwich first goal arrived from a well worked penalty corner routine, after Mike played the ball to James Hancher who reverse ball found Ian Francis in space on the right of the circle and his crisp finish found the bottom corner to register his second goal of the season. This increased Droitwich confidence who became dominant in possession, resulting in several more penalty corners awarded. After 17 minutes Spa were two nil up with another well worked Penalty corner. James Hancher found Mike Carsberg at the front post whose calm finish under the keeper resulted in his second league goal of the campaign. Two minutes later Spa made it 3-0 with Pepe getting his first of the game. After this Stratford came into the game more, as they pushed an extra player into the middle of the park and made good use of their subs. Stratford first goal came from a free hit on their right, after a clumsy miss control from the vice captain. This enabled Avon attackers to get through Droitwich defence who put the ball under the advancing Droitwich Keeper. After an entertaining first half this left the score line 3-1 to Droitwich advantage. Second half saw Stratford continue to dominate midfield as they sharpened their passing. Stratford second arrived after a counter attack down the right resulting in a shot which Spa keeper saved well before the rebound fell to one of their forwards who finished from close range. Stratford 3rd goal arrived down the left flank and cross was finished from close range making the score line 3-3. Spa vice captain picked up a needless green card, as the team looked to clear their heads from being pegged back. Droitwich switched the formation bringing Ian Francis and James Hancher into the middle of the park to nullify Stratford attacking intent. As Stratford began to tire Spa pushed higher up the pitch and the forwards pressed and harried the backline. From a 16 hit out Pepe intercepted the ball and ran through on goal and beat the keeper with a well placed shot to restore Droitwich advantage. With 8minutes to go more pressure from the forward line resulted in Wayne Plumpton intercepting the ball near to half way and producing a neat finish from the top of the circle. This performance showed excellent team spirit; resilience; and creativity; which was built on a solid defence, workman like midfield and pacey attack. Man of the match went jointly to Wayne Plumpton and Pepe Olgesfield Hope who worked very hard all game being the linchpins between defence and attack and always in space. Next game is a local derby against Worcester, on October 22nd 130pm pushback.