MALVERN Rangers entertained Droitwich Spa's Midland Combination side in the WFA Saturday Junior Cup.

MALVERN RANGERS 1, DROITWICH SPA 3

The persistent rain and a pitch that resembled a duck pond resulted in little football being played and although there was little to choose between the sides, Droitwich eventually ran out winners.

Droitwich took an early lead after ten minutes. Rangers gave away a needless free kick about 30 yards from their goal. The ball was crossed into the box and appeared to be going safely into the hands of goalkeeper Phil Birch. However, the greasy ball slipped from his grasp and Brian Somers was in the right place at the right time to score.

There was little goalmouth action as most of the play took place in the mud bath in the centre of the pitch.

After 30 minutes Brendan Watson played the ball through and Lee Brookes appeared to beat the offside trap, only for one of the Droitwich subs, running the line, to flag for offside.

Rangers did equalise five minutes later, Clive Churchill sent Simon Rea racing down the left wing, he cut inside and shot past the keeper, but an attempted clearance by a defender got stuck in the mud and Lee Brookes followed up to slide the ball into the net.

Ten minutes into the second half Droitwich regained the lead. A cross from the left was met by the unmarked Carl Nesbitt who headed the ball over Birch and into the net.

Rangers pushed for yet another equaliser with Simon Rea, Clive Churchill and Brendan Watson all forcing the goalkeeper into making good saves.

In injury time Rangers pushed everybody forward for a corner, the goalkeeper caught it and kicked it downfield where Carl Nesbitt ran on and hit an unstoppable shot past Birch to seal victory.

Rangers' Man of the Match was Brendan Watson.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Rangers are back on league duty when they host Perrywood at Victoria Park. Players meet ground 1.30pm, kick off 2.15pm.