FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

Pre Season game. Tuesday 8th July

Arrow Valley Sports Centre, Redditch

I’ve never really understood the idea of a ‘friendly’ match. It suggests that both teams are playing at less than 100%. In my, admittedly, limited sporting career I always played with maximum effort. Whether it was a cup final or a kick around with mates, a school sports day or a game of darts in the pub, I always wanted to play my very best game.

At times this evening’s game may have lacked quality at times but it never lacked endeavour. No quarter was taken by either side. The Romans started very brightly and made more of the early going. Buoyed by last season’s promotion to Step Six, they created the bulk of the chances in the first period and deservedly took the lead with a well worked passage of play and a neat finish. A strong Spa lineup struggled to create chances and can have no complaints when they went in at half time one down.

Both managers shuffled the packs during the break and the Saltmen gradually worked their way into the game but not before a great effort from the Romans struck the woodwork and bounced to safety. Spirited work from Sam and Joe Hurdman enlivened the whole side but frustratingly they could not find the killer touch. Enter Jack Davies, a man who seems to enjoy away games in Redditch. As it was starting to look like Spa would never break their duck, a neat lay off found the Spa midfield enforcer 25 yards out and Jack Davies did what Jack Davies does when Spa play in Redditch and hit a trademark blockbuster strike which gave the Alcester keeper no chance.

With time running out, a decent spell of possession ended with the ball reaching Joe Hurdman whose sharp strike found the bottom corner and gave Spa a lead they would hold until the final whistle.

In truth, it was a disjointed Droitwich performance. This may have been partly due to the venue being switched. The pitch at Arrow Park did look to be very small and left the Saltmen struggling to find space.

Hats off to our hosts, who looked comfortable and held a free scoring Droitwich for almost all the game. If they perform like they did tonight, I can see Alcester being successful in Hellenic League Division One.

At the risk of becoming repetitive, the FTS MOTM goes to Lewis Phillips for the second time in four days. Lewis carried on where he left off on Saturday. Strong in defence and appeared to help his less experienced teammates out as much as he could.

Next up your Saltmen travel to Boldmere for an early kickoff against Smethwick on Saturday. Then they host Kidderminster Harriers next Tuesday. Sadly FTS will be on holiday for these two games so there is likely to be some radio silence for a week. I’ll be back for the final two pre-season games.

See you there.

Cheers

Steve