I am travelling to a new ground today but surprisingly it's close to home as I am visiting the home of Droitwich Spa at the King George Playing Field in Briar Mill for their match against Perrywood from Worcester. So it's just an eight mile rail journey to this historic small town for the Quarter-Final tie in the Worcestershire FA Quarter-Final.
Droitwich are languishing next to bottom in the 1st Division of the Midland Combination while Perrywood occupy a creditable 6th place in the division below them.
Today is a cool but sunny day and when I leave the rail station and take the 5-10 minute walk in to the town centre I find that there is a farmer's market in the town square. I think I will have a closer look there after the match.
I like Droitwich, it's got some interesting old buildings in the centre and it has an interesting history linked to the it's salt mining roots (dating back to Roman times). Also recently the local canal's refurbishment was completed and it's well worth visiting as it's just situated a stone's throw away from the main shopping area.
Below is a photo of the canal basin in Vines Park when the canal was officially re-opened in July 2011.
So enough of the tourism plug and back to the match. I make my way to the Briar Mill home of the football team by walking in a westerly direction along the canal tow path and then taking the path along the River Salwarpe which runs along the playing fields where the local sports complex lies. There is a large building where the changing rooms are and there is a building that houses the local boxing club along side it. There are 3 football pitches as well as the Droitwich Spa FC pitch which is enclosed with a rail fence. At the back is an all weather pitch for the local hockey club.
There are about 20 spectators for the match and there is also a match taking place featuring the reserve team in a Worcestershire Minor Cup game, two pitches away against Worcester Raiders.
The 'Worcester News' newspaper had informed me that the match was starting at 1:30 pm but in fact it starts at 1:45 pm. Droitwich Spa are playing in their red and black strip while Perrywood are in blue and white.
Droitwich dominate the early stages of the match although they don't create many chances. However their diminutive No.10, weaves his way into the box and is hacked down from behind for a stonewall penalty!
The resulting penalty kick is placed too close to the Perrywood keeper and is easily saved. This seems to be a continuation of their league form, playing well but not converting their chances.
Perrywood come more in to the game and the rest of the half is quite even. Defences are on top and the teams go off at half time with the game still goalless.
When I go to the toilets which I find are at the end of the corridor where the changing rooms are, I find there is a hatch open for refreshments where I buy my cup of tea and am surprised to find there are programmes for sale (groundhoppers take note). The programme features recent match reports and photos (advertised for £1 but sold today for 50p) and is the handiwork of the Secretary, Barry Schuck. One half is for the 1st team and the other features the reserves.
When play resumes, Droitwich are very much on top and after 20 minutes they eventually do take the lead with a good shot in to the top right hand corner from No.4, Mike Seeley, shown below walking back to his own half.
Although still the dominant team, Droitwich are finding it difficult to finish off the game with a decisive second goal. The longer the game goes on Perrywood sniff a chance of getting an equaliser.
With a few minutes to go Perrywood rattle the bar with a looping shot and this acts as a wake-up call because right near the end of normal time, Droitwich Spa make sure of progress to the semi-final with another goal, scored by substitute, Matthew Purser.
It's been a hard working performance by Droitwich but they didn't make it easy for themselves.
Droitwich Spa's ground is probably worth a visit on a good weather day as there is only cover to found in a small covered area in one corner of the pitch, probably enough for about 20 spectators.
Droitwich now have 4 away matches in December and Perrywood next play their League's league leaders, Paget Rangers.
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