FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

Clanfield 85 FC 1 – 0 Droitwich Spa FC

Hellenic League Division One. 5th April 2025

We’ve had a lot of fun travelling to see the Saltmen over the past nine months. It was fitting then that our last away game of the season should be played in similar conditions to that first game at Newent back in August. Not a single cloud cast a shadow on proceedings.

Sadly for the hundred or so Spa fans who made the journey to the excellent Radcot Road ground at Clanfield, the game was a bit of a disappointment. It came as no great surprise that the boys might ease up now the division title has been assured. The early loss of Perry Moss to injury didn’t help matters but, in fairness, neither side posed much threat in front of goal. Spa came closest when the legend that is Duggers’ speculative headed effort glanced the outside of the far post. Dependable Dom Rogerson made a couple of smart saves to thwart the home attack but it certainly wasn’t a classic encounter.

The game looked to be drifting to a goalless draw when a Clanfield player went to ground in the Spa box. The referee pointed to the spot and the penalty was dispatched efficiently. From my vantage point, about 120 yards from the incident, it looked a bit of a home-town decision but I accept that the referee had a closer view than me.

There were a couple of fractious incidents in the latter stages, one resulting in a straight red card for Jack Brighton.

The game ended in a 1 – 0 win for Clanfield who maintain hopes of making the playoffs. With only one of the places secured (by Redditch) four clubs are challenging for the remaining three.

It’s a shame Spa couldn’t complete the season unbeaten away from home, while breaking a run of scoring in games stretching back to Victorian times. But let’s not dwell on negatives. If we’d been offered this year’s achievements before kickoff at Newent we would have bitten your arm off. Records are great but results are what matter and that league table tells us all we need to know.

The prestigious Following the Saltmen man of the match award goes to Steve Charlwood for services to the Spa travelling massive. Thanks Steve.

So that’s that. It’s back to Kingys for the Tytherington Rocks game and season finale on Saturday. It could be a day to remember.

See you there.

Cheers

Steve