DESPITE not playing for two weeks, Droitwich Spa Ladies returned to action with a narrow 1-0 victory over Redditch Ladies in Division One South of the West Midlands Regional Women’s League.
With only five matches remaining, Spa were determined to ensure another top three finish in only their second season at this level having finished the previous campaign as runners-up.
From the outset, Droitwich dominated the possession as they created a number of openings and efforts on the Redditch goal.
The strike partnership of Ellie Gerhold and April Polden both saw efforts saved by the Redditch keeper while Diane O’Hare sent a header wide from a Mel Curnock corner.
Spa were also firm at the back as the defence of Lindsey Jones, Lucy Bowell and captain Tara Bell meant it took until more than 30 minutes of play before keeper Ellie Baker got her first touch of the ball.
Despite Spa’s domination, the sides went into the break level at 0-0.
Following the interval, Spa stepped it up a gear and Gerhold almost put Spa 1-0 up as she latched on to a pinpoint throughball, rounded the Redditch keeper only to see her shot towards an empty net blocked by a desperately retreating defender.
A series of good moves saw Curnock and Beth Roberts waste chances to put Spa in front but eventually the deadlock was broken in the 57th minute when Gerhold stabbed the ball home from close after latching on to Lucy Boswell’s free-kick.
Spa continued to pile the pressure on the Redditch goal and man-of-the-match Sarah Markinson-Mills was foiled in her attempts to double the lead when her close range shot was well saved.
Redditch’s only attempt on the Droitwich goal saw Baker make an excellent save to preserve Spa’s 1-0 advantage, a lead they held until the final whistle.
Droitwich manager Ian Fry said: “This was another excellent performance by my team. It wasn’t the most spectacular in terms of goals or even chances created, but I was thrilled with the discipline of the girls and the quality of the football they played, particularly in the second half.
“Two clean sheets in our last two games is testament to the quality of our team structure and defence.”
Droitwich were due to play league leaders Coundon Court yesterday (Thursday) and entertain Coventry Development Ladies on Sunday.
