A BRACE from Aaron Opoku inspired Racing Club Warwick to a come-from-behind 2-1 win against Droitwich Spa in the FA Cup.
Opoku netted twice after the break to complete the turnaround after Alex Dugmore put FA Cup debutants Spa ahead at Townsend Meadow.
Victory in the extra preliminary round tie means the Racers will travel to Lye Town in the preliminary round on Saturday, August 16.
Warwick play one level above Hellenic League Premier Division side Spa who were playing in the competition for the first time in the club’s 40-year history.
The Racers went close early on when the ball deflected fortuitously into the path of Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton who saw his low effort saved by the foot of Spa goalkeeper Dom Rogerson.
However, Spa stunned the hosts on 16 minutes when Dugmore headed in Nathan Binner’s free-kick from the right at the back post.
Dugmore somehow managed to guide the ball through the legs of Warwick goalkeeper Sam Lomax from close range.
However, Lomax atoned for his error later in the half as he tipped James Lemon’s flicked header away from goal before the Racers scrambled the ball to safety.
The Racers equalised after the break on 52 minutes when Opoku lashed a shot into the bottom left corner from Richard Batchelor’s knockdown after Spa failed to deal with a high ball into the box.
Warwick almost completed the turnaround later in the half when Rohan Levy could only clear the ball into the path of substitute Callum Coyle who saw his first time shot crash against the woodwork.
Spa stopper Rogerson then made a brave save at close quarters to keep out Archie Hamp’s powerful effort at the back post.
And Rogerson came to Spa’s rescue again soon after as he tipped Skeen-Hamilton’s toe poke behind after the Warwick striker burst into the penalty area.
Warwick eventually completed the comeback on 78 minutes when Opoku forced the ball over the line from virtually on the goalline after Batchelor’s initial header at a corner was deflected onto the crossbar.
