FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

Match Report

Racing Club Warwick 2 – 1 Droitwich Spa FA Cup – 02 August 2025

If there was anyone left in Droitwich yesterday afternoon, then it must have been quiet. It seemed like half of the town had taken a drive to Warwick to see the Saltman make their debut in the world’s favourite knockout competition.

FTS took the coach that Steve Charlwood had arranged for the Spa Drinking Team (I think). The trip from a The Old Cock to Townsend Meadow took 45 minutes which left FTS plenty of time to check out local brewery’s Pilsner lager. At £2.50 a pint it would have been rude not to. Good pint too.

As kick off approached, the number of Spa fans entering the ground increased steadily and it was soon apparent we significantly outnumbered the home supporters. The stadium itself is impressive, with covered standing at both goal ends and covered seats along both touchlines. The only slight criticism I would make would be the bar facilities became a little swamped by the demand. The bar staff were great but I’m guessing the club did not expect the number of visiting supporters. I didn’t try the food but have it on good authority that it was very good. The burgers got rave reviews from a number of the Spa fans who tried them.

The game kicked off on a warm summer afternoon and the first goalkeeper called into action was Spa stopper Dom Rogerson, who had to be quick to close down a Racing break and using his feet to block a good strike from the dangerous looking Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton.

It was the Saltmen who broke the deadlock after 14 minutes. Nathan Binner struck a perfectly flighted free kick from wide on the right to the back post where it was met by exactly the Spa player you would want on the end of a cross. Alex Dugmore’s header looked a little too near Sam Lomax in the Racing goal. In what the giant keeper will probably not consider the highlight of his career, the ball ended up nutmegging the big fella giving Spa the lead and Alex Dugmore will forever be the first Spa player to score in the FA Cup.

James Lemon looked to have doubled the Saltmen’s advantage just before the break his deft header looked bound for the bottom corner until the lofty Lomax dropped to his left and pawed the ball away to complete a fabulous save.

Droitwich came out for the second half clearly intent on protecting their one goal advantage and appeared to set up deeper. Sadly, they could only protect their one goal lead for 8 minutes when Aaron Opoku converted a knockdown with a clinical finish into the bottom left corner. Spa struggled to impose themselves on their higher league opponents. Dom Rogerson made two great saves as Racing looked increasingly dangerous. The dam finally broke after 79 minutes Opoku picked up the pieces after a goalline scramble and completed what may prove to be the easiest finish of his career.

Racing had the ball in the Spa goal again a couple of minutes later but that was chalked off as the linesman had flagged for offside.

To lose by the odd goal in 3, away from home, against a side playing in a higher league, is not a bad result. It was a gutsy performance by a Spa team who haven’t quite hit the straps yet. But it is very early in the season and there are still players to join/return to the squad.

The Following The Saltmen Man of the FA Cup Match goes to Dom Rogerson. He has had better games but made 4 or 5 top drawer stops which on another day could have been the difference between win or defeat.

Next up, Spa’s first home game of the season as Westfields visit Kingys in the Hellenic League Premier Division. Kick off 7.45pm.

See you there

Cheers

FTS – As seen on TV