FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

Initial reactions

Against the odds, which became longer as the game progressed, the Saltmen retained their unbeaten record, missing out on an unlikely away win by virtue an injury time equaliser which everyone present at this lovely ground could see resulted from the ball being kicked from the goalkeeper’s two hands. Everyone except the referee and his two hapless assistants.

Picture of Audrey Hepburn in the Gents

Spa started the game without five regular first team players, including three of the division’s top ten goal scorers! However, this did not stop them taking a deserved lead on 15 minutes when Lucas Edmonds showed great close control, collecting the ball thirty yards out before strolling through the United defence and clinically sliding the ball past Cavanagh in the home goal.

Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse on 26 minutes when a challenge from Nathan Binner drew a suspiciously well orchestrated response from a number of the Abingdon team who mobbed the referee. In turn, he bowed under the pressure of the moment and the Spa midfield dynamo got first use of the soap in the visitors changing room.

The second half was not necessarily one for the purists. Spa mounted a spirited rearguard action and looked to have done enough to take the win. Defying the numerical deficit, they continued to put the Abingdon defence under pressure. Then, on 80 minutes, Abingdon’s Harvey Sandford committed a crude but largely innocuous challenge on Droitwich debutant Kyon Evans which the referee deemed worthy of the afternoon’s second red card. Even the most cynical Droitwich supporter would agree that this seemed a harsh decision.

Not content with two unwarranted dismissals, the match officials served the coup de Grace deep into injury time when a loose ball was routinely collected by Dom Rogerson in the Droitwich goal only to see it kicked from his grasp. After a brief goalmouth scramble the home side tucked the ball away for an equaliser. Seven year olds the world over know that opponents cannot play the ball when a keeper has both hands on it. Evidently this knowledge has yet to filter down to the lower reaches of the FA Referees list and the goal stood.

The disappointment felt by the large number of travelling Droitwich faithful was palpable. Nevertheless, this must still be considered a good result. To take a point from our closest rivals, while fielding a depleted starting 11 takes some effort.

Thanks for reading

Steve