FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

Marylebone Cricket Club Round 3

11 February 2025

As new boys in the Hellenic League, Spa started this season as an unknown quantity. The decision to move the Saltmen from the Midland Football League came relatively late in the day and none of the other clubs were particularly familiar with our heroes’ strengths and weaknesses. For the first few months this gave Spa something of an advantage over some of the clubs who have played in the division for a few years. However, when the return fixtures started coming around, the opposing sides had learnt who our danger men are and took action to nullify the threat.

You would have got pretty long odds from the bookies for anything but a home win against a Cheltenham side we’d beaten comfortably twice already this season. But, they had done their homework and stuck to what appeared to be an effective game plan.

On Tuesday night, we went back to being an unknown quantity to the visiting Westfields side who are well established in the Premier Division, a step higher than Spa. It was noticeable from the kickoff that Westfields had more quality than most of the teams we have seen in recent weeks. Their confidence and ability on the ball was significantly better, as was their ability move the ball quickly and accurately. However, Spa were not overawed by their higher ranked opponents and took the game to Westfields. There was a purpose and direction to Spa’s football. The long ball was used sparingly but effectively and the threat coming from Josh Hurdman on the right side was a constant.

The first real talking point came on the left side though. Majestic marksman Alex Dugmore was put clear of a flat footed Westfields back four only to be scythed down by visiting keeper Shay Sterry as Lord Duggers nudged the ball round him. Sterry was very fortunate to receive only a yellow card when stronger match officials may have sent him for an early bath. (Copyright: Eddie Waring 1974)

Sterry was back in action on 35 minutes when he made an excellent save from a well crafted effort from Josh Hurdman. Westfields’ best chance of the first half came when an unusually hesitant Dom Rogerson failed to cleanly gather the ball at the edge of the area. The loose ball was seized upon by Dan Stoneman but he was unable take full advantage and sliced his shot at the open goal, in one of those ever so popular YouTube blooper moments. An entertaining first half ended with the deadlock unbroken.

Westfields came out of the second half traps quickly and must have thought they had taken the lead when Stoneman almost made amends for his first half miss but his powerful effort struck the bar and rebounded to safety. This clearly stung the Saltmen back into action and they then dominated most of the next 30 minutes. On 55 minutes,Nathan Binner showed great vision in sending an inch perfect pass from central midfield to Josh Hurdman in the outside right position. Josh then took the ball to the byline before finding who else but the prolific Alex Dugmore, six yards out. The Spa man craftily let the ball run across him, allowing Lord Dugmore to beat the defender and fire the ball back across Sterry to open the scoring. Chances and half-chances came and went until, in the 72nd minute, another Josh Hurdman cross was weakly headed away but only to Nathan Binner waiting unmarked at the edge of the penalty area. The tireless midfielder calmly took the ball down on his chest and gave Sterry no chance with his stylish strike.

To be fair to Westfields they continued to take the game to Spa and forced a very smart save from Dom Rogerson at his near post. The effort expended by the Droitwich keeper in protecting a clean sheet clearly took its toll. He bravely carried on, regardless of the fact that every time he claimed the ball until the final whistle he ended up falling to the floor. People don’t always appreciate how exhausting it can be for goalkeepers. [Yes, I still have my Keepers Union card. Although it did expire over 20 years ago!].

The game came to a close with Spa claiming a deserved win and an away trip to Hartpury University, who have opened up a clear lead in UHL Premier Division, with games in hand over their nearest rivals. While Hartpury may not have faced the Saltmen before, they have done their homework and a representative was present at Kingys for the Westfields game. It will certainly be a tough test for Spa.

There were strong performances throughout the Droitwich team but the FTS man of the match goes to Matt Fusco who I reckon had his best game so far for the Saltmen, just pipping the attacking work of Josh Hurdman.

The next test comes on Saturday when Kingys stages our relocated “away” game against the currently nomadic Southam United.

See you there.

Cheers

Steve