DROITWICH Spa women recorded their fifth consecutive victory in all competitions with a 3-2 win over Worcester United to avenge their opening-day defeat to their local rivals.

They started the West Midlands League Division One South game in a positive fashion, enjoying good early possession and making inroads into the Worcester defence.

However, they went behind in the seventh minute when keeper Beth Roberts was unable to keep out a Carli Smith free-kick.

The fifth-placed King George’s Playing Fields hosts did not let this early setback deter them from their game-plan.

Spa continued to play with positivity and creativity while remaining solid in defence and dominating midfield.

On 16 minutes, Katie Armento played a short corner to Ellie Gerhold, who crossed to the far post for Melissa Curnock to head home and put Spa back on level terms.

Three minutes later, Armento latched on to an April Polden pass to smash the ball past the Worcester keeper and into the roof of the net, to give Droitwich a 2-1 lead that they held until half-time.

The second half saw both teams continuing to play well in a game of good quality with testing pitch conditions.

Top-of-the-table Worcester got back on level terms when Lucy Edwards shot past Roberts into the far corner of the Droitwich goal.

The remainder of the game saw Spa become increasingly dominant.

They created a number of chances with Polden forcing a good save from the Worcester keeper, while Gerhold fired over.

Droitwich player of the match Charleigh Stanaway also hit the post.

The match looked to be heading for a draw when, with just one minute remaining, second-half substitute Lucy Solloway slid the ball into the Worcester net to clinch a well-deserved Droitwich win.

Spa manager Ian Fry said: “When we played Worcester in our opening match, it was hard to imagine us playing any worse than we did that day.

“The girls and I have been looking forward to having the opportunity to make up for that poor performance.

“My players played really well against a good Worcester team. We were well organised and the girls played fantastically, both individually and collectively.”

Before the Worcester win, Spa beat Solihull 4-1, Redditch United 5-1 and Marston Green 3-0 in the league.

Malvern Town drew 2-2 with Redditch at the HDanywhere Community Stadium in a clash of the division’s county strugglers.

On Sunday (2pm), Spa visit Coventry side Coundon Court and Worcester entertain Folly Lane at the University of Worcester in the last games before the Christmas break.

Malvern head to Baytree Farm-based Rubery and Redditch host Marston Green at the Valley Stadium.

Wyre Forest Phoenix entertain Coventry Development at Brown Westhead Park, Wolverley.