IT is play-off semi-final time for Droitwich Spa this afternoon as they seek to take a step closer to back-to-back promotions.

The Saltmen travel to Hinckley AFC in the Midland Football League Division One play-off semi-finals this afternoon, where the winner will face whoever comes out on top in Wednesday's other semi between Ashby Ivanhoe and OJM Black Country. 

Spa finished their first-ever season at Step 6 in fourth place following their promotion from Step 7 at the end of the 2021/22 campaign and it has been a hugely successful term for Andy Crowther's men.

In their 40 league games, they have won 26, drawn five and lost just nine matches, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Worcestershire Senior Cup, in which they beat Worcester City. 

But now they have reached the business end of the season and face a tough test at Hinckley this afternoon.

The Leicestershire side, since reformation in 2014, have, in all but one season, been involved at the top of the table at Step 6, but are still waiting to get up into Step 5.

Their league record is not too dissimilar to Droitwich's but they did win two more games (28) across the 22/23 campaign, which meant they guaranteed a home semi-final. 

The other play-off Semi-Final between Ashby Ivanhoe and OJM Black Country will be played on Wednesday evening, with the Final taking place next week-end at the highest placed team of the finalists.

All of the teams taking place in the play-offs will no doubt be confident of reaching the Final and securing promotion to the MFL Premier Division, and certainly between Hinckley and Droitwich there is little to split the two teams in what will be a fascinating encounter in front of a bumper crowd.