To quote the great Joe Strummer completely out of context: “You can crush us, You can bruise us, But you’ll have to answer to, Oh Oh the Guns of Brixton Droitwich”
As we enter September it seems like an appropriate time to have a look at some of the positive aspects from the first, sometimes bruising, month of the new season.
First and most importantly for any football club are results. This is easy to summarise in one word: Perfect! Seven wins from seven games in the Hellenic League Division 1 and a further win in the FA Vase give Spa a 100% record from their August endeavours which were bookended by two 6-2 wins. The manner of the victories is also encouraging. While some games have been more closely contested than others, the lowest margin of victory has been by two goals in the 3-1 scoreline from the away game on a bone hard pitch at Cheltenham Saracens.
If my sums are correct, the Saltmen scored forty goals in all competitions during August. Not all of them were tap-ins either. We’ve seen some real worldies too. My personal favourite was Alex Dugmore’s ‘Van Basten-esque’ volley on the opening day at Newent. but there have been quite a few others from Josh Hurdman, Nathan Binner and the ever dangerous Perry Moss to name just a few.
This explosion of finishing firepower has resulted in two notable things. Firstly, a reported manifold increase in the sale of replacement goal nets and also in Spa players occupying four spots in the top ten goalscorers in the Division. [ Actually it’s 4 of the top 7 – Ed].
The observant among you may note that our own Alex Dugmore sits top of the pile with an impressive tally of 14 goals from 8 games. Four of these goals came in the season opener at Newent. Since then, his strike rate has declined a bit and in recent games he has been unable to register more than two goals per game. If he could just put a little effort in, he can surely return to his early season form!! [You cannot be serious – John McEnroe]
All this firepower, with a little help from the rearguard (which I will address in a later blog) means Droitwich Spa Football Club are one of only two Step 6 clubs nationwide to have recorded a perfect 7 wins from 7 league games. The only other perfect Step 6 record belongs to Heather St John. To think she’s done it all on her own, just goes to show how good women’s football has become!
There is no doubt there are some tough tests ahead but if the guns keep firing then prospects look good for the season ahead.
See you at Kingys for the cup game on Saturday.
Cheers
Steve
FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN 
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