FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

Hellenic League Division One. 25 March 2025

The Saltmen have recorded some impressive results this season but I can’t remember a better performance. Spa were utterly dominant at the Ben’s Takeaway Stadium, sweeping aside a Stonehouse side who, back in November, inflicted Spa’s first of only two league defeats so far this season.

From the first minute it was a performance fit to deliver a division title but as Redditch beat Wellington, concurrently, that part of business will be a bit delayed.

It was perhaps fitting that the game’s opening goal would go to a player yet to score this season! On 3 minutes Schofield, the Stonehouse keeper, did well to keep out a powerful header from the Right Honourable Lord Dugmore, but his parry was met by the head of Jamie Sauntson who converted the chance to join the pantheon of Droitwich goalscorers.

The main threat from the home team came from their pacy wide players but they found themselves carefully shepherded to safety by the Spa full backs who both out in dominant shifts.

The effervescent Perry Moss struck the woodwork but went one better on 35 minutes. The Spa playmaker latched onto a chipped ball over the home back line and neatly lobbed the rapidly advancing Schofield in a carbon copy of his goal at Kidlington four days earlier.

Half time came with the score 0 – 2 in Spa’s favour.

There was no let up as the second half started with more Droitwich pressure. The Saltmen were sharp. They seemed to be first to every loose ball and Stonehouse were frustrated by Spa breaking down any spells of possession the home side created, with ease.

Droitwich pressure was converted into a third goal on the hour mark. Lewis Phillips, who was enjoying another ironclad outing, struck an aimless hoof downfield / incisive defence splitting through ball (You decide!) which found the one true Sir Alex Dugmore who converted like a man who has scored thirty odd goals already this season, to make it three. With Duggers and Pez in such great goalscoring form, it may be that Jamie Sauntson will have to wait until next year to claim the club top scorer award.

It had been a relatively quiet night for Spa keeper Dom Rogerson until the game entered stoppage time. An uncharacteristic slip at the heart of the Droitwich defence allowed Harris clean through on goal. Dropped right in the sticky stuff the selfless custodian took one for the team bringing Harris down. Needless to say, some were surprised that Spa were not reduced to ten and were spared the decision of who goes in goal for the last knocking of the game. To rub salt into Stonehouse wounds, Dom comfortably gathered the effort from the resulting free kick.

That just left time for Matt Fusco to turn a nice Josh Hurdman far post ball back across Schofield, finding the net in style.This was Spa’s 100th league goal of the season.

It was an accomplished performance all-round. Every player made positive contributions, including those coming on from the bench. I could give the FTS man of the match to any of the team but, on a day in which the Spa midfield looked invincible, it must go to Nathan Binner. His tireless running, ball winning and creative play were of the highest order.

Plaudits too to our hosts for their friendly welcome. There has clearly been a lot of time and money invested in the facilities at their excellent stadium. They are still in with a shot of making the playoffs and hopefully we can do them a favour or two in our next two away games against their two closest rivals in that race.

A win at Shortwood on Saturday would seal the title for the Saltmen. Given the superior goal difference over Redditch, a draw would probably be enough. But, if the boys continue as they have in the last 6 league games, I see no reason why they can’t win all three remaining games.

Finally, it was another great turnout by the Spa faithful who pretty clearly outnumbered the home club’s supporters in a crowd of 142. We are the extra man.

See you at Shortwood. It might be a special day!

Cheers

Steve