FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

Pre-season Game

Spa returned to action today for the first time since lifting the trophy on the last game of the 2024-2025 season. This pre-season game pitted the Saltmen against long established Midland Premier League team Studley FC.

We arrived at the Beehive about an hour before kick off. A lot has changed at the ground since I last visited. The main stand has gone and the pitch moved 60 or 70 yards over from the its previous location. The playing surface is now 3G or 4G and is overlooked by a small covered seating area and a short covered standing area on the same side as the dugouts. The other three sides of the ground are uncovered hard standing areas. The clubhouse bar is a good size and most importantly, reasonably priced.

Both sides started brightly but we had to wait well over two minutes for Spa to open the scoring. A great Lewis Phillips cross was met by the club’s current Golden Boot holder Alex Dugmore, who rose above the home back four and guided an inch perfect header into the top corner.

The Studley side clearly contains some very accomplished players but The Saltmen never looked overawed or outplayed. Some slick passing moves and excellent decision making were proving to be a handful for the Bees. It came as no surprise when a blatant push in Duggers’ back resulted in Spa being awarded a spot kick which Ben Tilbury dispatched confidently for a 0-2 lead. The third Droitwich goal came courtesy of a little more largesse from the home side. A calamitous misunderstanding between keeper and defender resulted in a back header finding the net.

Studley did find the target once before half time, through some neat interplay in the Spa box and a cool finish giving Dom Rogerson in the Spa goal no chance.

Both coaching teams used the half time break to make wholesale changes, handing opportunities to some of the younger squad members. The second half spoils went to Studley who made up the two goal deficit with an absolute screamer of a finish and a far post header which probably could have been defended more effectively. There were promising signs from two debutants, whose names I won’t mention until formal announcements are made by the club.

I would imagine that Droitwich boss Andy Crowther and his coaching team will be very pleased with what they saw. There was certainly plenty to be encouraged by. It is easy to read too much into pre-season results but calm, intelligent and accurate passing football from box to box; penetrative attacking and sure-footed defence bode well for the coming season.

Following The Saltmen Man of the Match goes to Lewis Phillips.

Solid defensive work. Dangerous delivery of crosses and consistently made himself available for teammates to find.

Good start.

See you at the Alcester game.

Cheers

Steve