FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

28 July 2025 (Yes, July!)

Pegged Back

If I’d been asked just before kick off whether I would be happy if the boys scored four goals in the game, I would have taken that gratefully. Going away from home and scoring four goals in the first game of the season would usually see you taking all three points. If you factor in the number of first team regulars unavailable, yesterday’s result was still surprising.

For various reasons the Saltmen started their first game in the Hellenic League Premier Division without Jay Sauntson, Jack Brighton, Perry Moss, Matt Jackson, Sam Carey and Cory Rudd. Into the side came new signing Reiss Taylor-Randle and Rohan Levy, from last season’s Under 18 squad, who was making his full debut for the first team.

Even with a full strength team, the first game at a higher level was never going to be easy. Hereford Pegasus are a strong club firmly embedded in Step 5. But Spa did not look overawed or outplayed in the opening stages. A number of half chances were created in the first half. Charlie Tilley was thwarted, James Lemon narrowly missed the best of the chances and Josh Hurdman worked the Pegasus keeper. The closest Spa came to a goal in the first period was a typically unorthodox Alex Dugmore header which left the keeper stranded in no man’s land, only for the ball to strike the woodwork before being shovelled away to safety. Pegasus were quick to take advantage of their escape. Within a minute a left sided move resulted in a strong angled strike finding the bottom corner and the Saltmen were one down.

Undeterred, the lads worked hard to level the scoreline. Josh Hurdman was a constant danger and a strong burst into the Pegasus box saw his shot narrowly miss the target. A good free kick from Nathan Binner could not break the home defence and Spa racked up a number of corners, keeping up the pressure.

The Peggies had been restricted by a long period of Droitwich pressure until the 42nd minute when they managed to extend their lead with a decent close range finish to take the score to 2-0 at half time.

It only took the Peggies four minutes of the second half to take their lead out to 3-0 and Spa looked done. At this point, many of us just hoped the boys could avoid a real drubbing. At three down, manager Andy Crowther decided it was time to freshen his side up. He introduced Joe Hurdman at the expense of Joe Clayton in a change of strategy which also required Alex Dugmore to move into the centre back role and skipper Lemon to move to lone striker.

Now I don’t know if the gaffer is a tactical genius, just lucky or a lucky genius. Whatever, it worked a treat. Joe Hurdman made an immediate impact. His pace, control and strength clearly rattled the Peggies back line, seeing off multiple challenges and sending a number of tasty crosses into the path of his teammates.

Within 5 minutes the Saltmen pulled a goal back. Fine work from the Hurdman duo pulled the Hereford side from touchline to touchline and Ben Tilbury converted a cross with a neat headed finish.

Two minutes later Josh Hurdman ruthlessly smashed home a loose ball and at 3-2, the gap was reduced to a solitary goal. Unfortunately, that would not last long as Pegasus struck back immediately. Alex Dugmore was penalised for a challenge in the Spa box. The resulting kick was dispatched with ease. From my vantage point 90 yards away, it looked like a harsh decision but I’m willing to accept that the referee was a bit closer to the action.

So, at two goals down again, Reiss Taylor-Randle and Jack Davies swapped places. The oncoming Droitwich legend quickly helped the lads start to control possession and after 70 minutes Josh Hurdman ruthlessly put a killer ball into the box finding brother Joe who managed to evade oncoming defenders before crashing a no-doubter into the home team’s goal.

The Saltmen piled forward and a couple of minutes later James Lemon was caught by a tackle so late that it’s still possible it will push the last games of the season back by a few weeks.

The resulting penalty was tucked home efficiently by Ben Tilbury to level the scores at four all to complete a remarkable comeback after being 3-0 down. The drama was not finished yet though. There was still enough time for Joe H to be denied by a cracking save from the Peggies keeper. At the other end, Pegasus had an effort cleared off the line and then were reduced to ten men for reasons that, again, were not apparent from the other end of the ground. To their credit, rather than parking the bus for the last 5 minutes, Pegasus took the game to Spa. The game entered stoppage time with Pegasus controlling the ball which was manoeuvred to their left flank from where the ball was launched towards the Spa goal. If it was a deliberate shot on goal it was a moment of shear brilliance as it stranded Dom Rogerson and soared into the top corner from fully 30 yards. Some miserable old sods might argue that it was a cross that fluked its way into the goal. I’m not sure*

So the game finished at 5-4 to Hereford Pegasus but the Saltmen really gave them a scare on the way. Even in defeat, some consolation can be taken from scoring 4 goals. The character and resilience on display was brilliant. It would have been easy for the lads to have given up and accepted a real spanking. The strong performance from Rohan Levy on debut was very encouraging. Joe H has shown that, like Sam and Josh, he has all the ability to prove a very effective addition to the team. In light of his form over pre-season and the Pegasus game he has made a strong case to start at Warwick in Saturday’s FA Cup game.

Honourable mentions go to Nathan Binner who was involved in most of the good stuff and Lewis Phillips who was strong alongside a reshuffled centre back partnership. But the Following The Saltmen man of the match must go to Josh Hurdman who, from the first minute to the last, looked dangerous every time he had the ball and created a hatful of chances for teammates and himself and tracked back to good effect. Really good all round performance.

It’s on to Warwick on Saturday for the club’s first ever appearance in the FA Cup!!

See you there

Cheers

FTS