FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

Kidlington Reserves 1 – 5 Droitwich Spa

Hellenic League Division One. 22 March 2025

The Saltmen took a big step towards securing the division title today by taking all three points from their encounter with Kidlington Reserves. To do it in front of the hallowed Mike Gradwell Stand, populated by Spa Faithful, was icing on the cake.

In truth it was a thoroughly professional performance by Spa. Deprived of the services of top scorer and one man medical casebook Lord Duggers, this was one of those banana skin scenarios where the underdog spoils the party.

Matters were further complicated by the gastroenterological woes of goalkeeper Dom Rogerson, necessitating former Spa keeper turned coach Matt Oliver to dust off his gloves just in case. I would imagine Matt was pleased to ultimately not be required.

After struggling a bit in front of goal at Carterton it didn’t take long today for Droitwich to hit the straps. Josh Hurdman would prove a thorn in the host’s side for most of the game. On 8 minutes he delivered an inch perfect cross for Perry Moss to slot his first goal of the his goals home. Ten minutes later Pez notched his second with a tidy finish into the bottom corner after one of his trademark mazy runs.

A 30 yard Cory Rudd piledriver clipped to top of the crossbar on 30 minutes by which time the Saltmen looked like scoring on every attack. And score again they did on 32 minutes. Perry Moss picked up a loose ball outside the box and carried it forward before lobbing the ball delicately over the advancing Kidlington keeper and into the onion bag. Hat trick completed.

The second half opened with a good spell of play by Kidlington . They are a side who clearly like to play a neat passing game. As at Kingys, earlier this season they continued to play out from the back and on other days this might bring greater success. But it was Spa who scored next. Good work from Josh Hurdman laying the ball off to Nathan Binner whose curling strike from 15 yards found the top corner and Droitwich had four.

On 63 minutes Kidlington capitalised on a poor Spa clearance and reduced the deficit to 1 – 4.

The afternoon’s scoring was completed on 83 minutes when skipper James Lemon latched onto a Ben Tilbury flick and dispatched a clinical first touch effort into the Kidlington goal.

Barring a series of freakish scorelines by Redditch, combined with a total defensive breakdown by Spa, four more points from the last four games should secure the title for the Saltmen.

Another great turnout by the Droitwich faithful. With most of the Kidlington supporters at their first team’s game, it was almost like a home game.

Thank you to all at Kidlington who welcomed us to their excellent Yarnton Road stadium and allowed us to stand on the Gradwell.

The FTS man of the match goes to Perry Moss. A 32 minute, first half hat trick doesn’t come along every week. Special mention also to Jihadi G, whose ball retrieving skills impressed us all!

See you at Shorthouse on Tuesday. Or is it Stonewood.

Cheers

Steve