FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

The Saltmen bowed out of this season’s FA Vase in the third round proper, going down 4-2 in a pretty evenly matched game at Abbey Hulton United.

The afternoon started well. In the absence of a coach, it was yours truly’s turn to drive. We marvelled at the length of time taken to install a pedestrian crossing on the Westlands roundabout; the complete lack of activity in the everlasting road works on the M5 and then endured the everlasting traffic jam joining the M6. Once clear of the Birmingham conurbation, it was plain sailing up to the Potteries. A slight communication breakdown between pilot and sat nav resulted in an accidental detour via the Britannia Stadium or whatever gambling site currently holds the naming rights but it wasn’t long before our happy band of travellers were approaching Abbey Hulton United. The air of intimidation was ramped up a few notches by a graffito on a wall near our destination which was clearly an attempted slur on one of Spa’s more notorious Ultras. It also explains the MI5 surveillance!

A friendly welcome awaited upon arrival at Abbey Hulton United and we retired to the bar while the players enjoyed their pre-match warm in the afternoon showers. The clubhouse is reminiscent of a Juke Joint in the Deep South of the USA. This is not meant as in insult in any way. The bar was warm and welcoming and it was good to chat with some Abbey supporters. And the beer was reasonably priced too, not that this designated driver could take advantage. Fortunately my next scheduled driving stint will be to the Oxford area, where the beer is likely to be a fair bit more expensive.”

I will only give a brief resume of the game, as the Official Spa site does a much better job. They include facts and statistics to support their content whereas I prefer a less formal approach.

Anyway, Spa were the better side for the majority of the first half, creating the more promising openings. James Lemon came closest to glory but could only hit the bar when following up on a parry from the Abbey keeper. The other effort of note came from a Josh Hurdman free free kick from 25 yards. The shot beat the wall but was gathered by the keeper.

The deadlock was finally broken by the host. A great shot from distance found the top corner of Dom Rogerson’s goal, giving the Spa stopper no chance. Half time 1-0 to Abbey.

Spa continued to press forward but shorn of the services of Alex Dugmore, the current world leading scorer (probably!), Spa’s main attacking threat came from out wide. However, Abbey had clearly done their homework, putting two men each on Perry Moss and Josh Hurdman, stifling the attacking threat they provide, week in week out.

The second half was probably just shaded by the home team. But not before the Saltmen drew level when Charlie Tilley lashed home a loose ball from a Spa set piece. The travelling Droitwich faithful were then sent into raptures when a vicious effort from skipper Lemon found the onion bag and gave Spa the lead with what had to have been a carefully crafted move from the training ground – although some cynical people might say the ball just hit Lem’s foot and ricocheted goal bound. Who cares? They all count.

Sadly, the lead was short lived, and Abbey restored parity to the scoreline with a neatly worked second.

As Abbey pressed on for a winner, they earned a free kick on the edge of the box. The strike hit a Droitwich hand in the defensive wall and the referee pointed at the spot. The penalty sent Dom the wrong way and Abbey had the lead back. Staring elimination in the face, Spa threw bodies forward and switched to a back three. Joe Hurdman replaced brother Josh. Liam Livesey was introduced into something of a baptism of fire and Matt Jackson was also introduced from the bench. Sadly for Spa, their search for an equaliser left them exposed at the back and as a speculative ball forward just evaded a full stretch Jackson, Abbey made no mistake and took the tie out of the Saltmen’s reach.

My man of the match choice can only go to one man: Dom Rogerson. What few of those present at yesterday’s game did not know was that Dom started the game nursing a broken elbow!! His Trautmanesque (look it up kids) bravery deserves special notice.

Another special mention to Jack Brighton, who won a ton of ball and never took a backward step.

Defeat in the Third Round of the Vase is no disgrace. It’s further than the club has been before and we can reflect on some great trips to exotic places like Holbeach, Ashby de la Zouch and now Stoke on Trent. And here’s a novel idea, now we can concentrate on winning the league. Oh, and the Marsh Challenge Cup …… oh yes, and the Wiseman Lighting Cup.

Good luck to Abbey Hulton. I hope they go on and win the Vase. They face a tough task against step 5 Heanor but you never know. They could always bring a couple of ringers in to help…..wink wink!

Next up, an improving Newent Town at Kingys on Saturday.

See you there.

Cheers

Steve