Droitwich Spa 2 Fairfield Villa 3

Worcester Junior Cup

DROITWICH discovered that when things are going wrong good fortune is almost impossible to find after a pulsating derby match on Saturday. NOWHERE TO GO: A Fairfield Villa player (yellow) is marked by Spa players.

Spa, who are bottom of the Midlands Combination Division Two, out-played Division One high-fliers Fairfield Villa only to lose because of a last gasp penalty.

To make matters worse Spa had two goals disallowed in the final ten minutes.

Droitwich manager Tom Goss said: "I don't know how we lost this game.

"We were the better team for long period and scored four goals, but only two were given."

Fairfield went into the game with a fearsome record of only two league defeats, while Spa had only avoided being beaten twice.

However, they matched Villa until a slice of luck put the visitors ahead. Seventeen-year-old striker Duncan Tie pounced on the ball as it ricocheted in the box and finished sweetly to make it 1-0 to Villa.

Spa showed spirit and bounced back when Stuart James scored the equaliser.

The livewire striker put the underdogs ahead after a slick move.

Carved

Villa though have carved out a reputation as a side which is hard to beat and Tie once again proved his worth with a goal in the 80th minute.

The game though exploded into controversy, when James had two goals disallowed. In the first incident the striker's fierce shot was parried and he slotted the rebound into the back of the net - only for it to be ruled out for offside.

Then from a free kick the forward's rasping drive was chalked off by the referee when he gave a free kick to Villa for two players clashing on the edge of the box.

Goss said: "Everyone who was at the game was baffled by the decisions.

"Even the Villa fans couldn't believe Stuart's second goal was ruled out. It was unbelievable. But fair play to Villa they said themselves they didn't deserve to win."

To make matters worse Tie was brought down in the box and Stuart Hall slotted the penalty in for a late Fairfield winner.

Villa manager Paul Oakes admitted his side had been second best.

He said: "Droitwich were excellent. They worked hard and played some lovely football. We just weren't at the races and it's hard to put my finger on why.

"At least one of their goals was legitimate and we were lucky to win the game."

Villa will meet Barnt Green Spartak in the Worcester Junior Cup's next round at the end of November.

Oakes said: "The Barnt Green game will be another cracker."

Villa will be aiming to start another cup on Saturday, when they take on West Midlands Police in the President's Cup second round (2.45pm kick off). Villa could be without Dave Roussell because of work commitments.