ELLIOTT Lees scored a hat-trick in vain as 10-man Bewdley Town lost 6-3 in a nine-goal thriller against Droitwich Spa to exit the FA Vase.
Lees briefly drew the home side level before Elliott Sumnall saw red for a strong challenge before the half-hour mark at Ribbesford Meadows.
The striker completed his treble either side of half time only for Spa to put six goals past Town for the second time this season as Bewdley exited the competition at the Second Round Qualifying stage.
Bewdley’s Hellenic League Division One rivals Droitwich broke the deadlock after just seven minutes when Alex Dugmore powered a low effort into the net.
However, Lees pounced on a mistake by Sam Carey to round Dom Rogerson and finish into an empty net from a tight angle soon after to equalise for the hosts.
The game turned in Droitwich’s favour on 28 minutes when Sumnall put in a strong challenge on Spa’s Charlie Tilley and received a straight red card.
And the Saltmen made the man advantage count on 38 minutes as Dugmore teed up Perry Moss who found the net with a precise low drive from the edge of the penalty area.
The visitors extended their lead on the stroke of half time when Lucas Edmonds rode three challenges before finding the bottom corner.
However, Bewdley kept themselves in the contest in first-half injury time as Lees grabbed his second of the game with an unstoppable strike after intercepting a stray pass.
Spa restored their two-goal cushion on 57 minutes as Matt Fusco side-footed home Matt Jackson’s square pass from the edge of the penalty area.
Bewdley once again forced their way back into the game as Lees completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Rogerson inadvertently punched Sam Lester as the pair competed for a high ball.
Droitwich scored their fifth goal on 64 minutes as Moss’s trickery drew a foul in the box from Luke Morris and the winger picked himself up to score the resulting penalty.
And Dugmore headed in his second of the game to complete the scoring soon after.
Bewdley are next in action against away at Tytherington Rocks on Saturday, September 28 with kick-off at 3pm at Hardwicke Playing Field.
