FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

The Saltmen delivered their travelling supporters the perfect seasonal present with a convincing win at near neighbours Bewdley. It was a game played in slightly unusual circumstances. Mist hung low around the picturesque Ribbesford Meadow ground but the sight of many tractors decked out in tinsel and lights passing on the road above the field, lent an air of the surreal to proceedings.

The game started well for the Saltmen who created a series of chances in the opening minutes. A 25 yard piledriver from Corey Rudd struck the base of the post and top-scorer Alex Dugmore came close to adding to his tally on a couple of occasions but only managed to drag his efforts narrowly off target.

Somewhat against the run of play, it was the hosts who opened the scoring with a good strike from Worthington finding the corner of the Spa goal. Their lead was short lived as Charlie Tilley guided a deft header from a loose bouncing ball in the box over the stranded Lloyd in the Town goal restoring parity.

The half ended with Spa skipper James Lemon set to burst the net when he was left unmarked in the box but was unable to get enough on another bouncing ball to trouble the scorers.

The second period started with both sides trading half chances until the decisive moment on 64 minutes. In keeping with Bewdley’s Boxing Day tractor meet, effervescent Spa star Perry Moss had survived some pretty agricultural challenges from a Town side who had clearly been instructed to keep the diminutive dangerman out of the game by either fair means or, more often, foul. On this occasion, Pez jinked into the box without a Town player able to lay a glove on him and found the net with an excellent finish.

Saltmen keeper Joe Stockton had a relatively quiet afternoon but was equal to the task in denying erstwhile Studley striker Lees who was put through one on one. Stockton stood strong and completed a crucial block to deny the Town top scorer.

Spa’s own goal bothering superhero, Lord Dugmore of De Wych, left it late to maintain his goal per game average but the moment eventually arrived in the 83rd minute when he rose like a seasonal side of salmon, hovered in the air for fully 10 gravity defying seconds* and glanced Josh Hurdman’s pinpoint cross inside the far post.

And that was that. Three points in the stocking from a job well done.

My man of the match was Charlie Tilley whose goal and Herculean work behind the forward line were critical to the Saltmen’s victory. Special mention to Messrs Rudd, Sauntson, and Carey who also had strong games (as usual).

No game this Saturday so I’ll see you all at Carterton on 4th January. Have a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

Cheers

Steve

*FTS has been contacted by a Mr I Newton from 1690, suggesting this may be b0ll0cks.