FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

05 August 2025

Hellenic League Premier Division

Teamsheet

After what seems like an age, The Saltmen returned to competitive football at Kingys. And what a return it was!

Two narrow defeats in the opening week of the season were quickly consigned to history as Spa recorded an emphatic first win of the 2025/26 campaign.

Droitwich started the game very positively. In the first minute Josh Hurdman tested Jack Oxenham in the ‘Fields goal. Spa were dominating the early going and a James Lemon flick was cleared off the line. Next Oxenham was called upon to tip an Alex Dugmore effort over the bar. But the Spa goal-scoring machine that is Alex Dugmore wouldn’t wait long to break the deadlock. After a sustained period of pressure, a trademark Dugmore header from Josh Hurdman’s cross gave the Saltmen a lead they would never relinquish.

On 13 minutes, the visitors Adrian Clark’s effort was comfortably dealt with by Dom Rogerson in the Spa goal. With Westfields starting to make inroads into the Saltmen rear guard, a Droitwich break led o James Lemon sending Duggers through on goal. Spa’s prolific marksman made it two for him and the team with a well place lob over the on rushing Westfields keeper on 23 minutes.

The goal re-energised the Saltmen and two minutes later as a rampant Droitwich side saw Taylor-Randle one on one with Oxenham, who pulled off a smart save with his feet.

The visitors had a decent chance to reduce the deficit on 30 minutes but Rogerson was able to make a tidy stop. At the other end, a great cross from Jack Brighton gave Taylor-Randle a chance to extend the lead but he was unable to guide his 5 yard header on target. On the stroke of half-time Rogerson got down quickly to thwart Clark again.

After the teams had finished their orange quarters and rub downs with last week’s Standard, the second half began with Westfields seizing the initiative. Clark was twice denied chances by the impressive Ben Tilbury making very timely interventions within the Droitwich box. The home side rode the pressure and on 53 minutes Duggers completed his hat trick. James Lemon was the provider with a big assist, turning the Fields centre back in and out before setting up his teammate with a straight forward tap in.

Not content on just being a finisher, Duggers turned provider on 63 minutes. His dogged determination saw his cross reach Charlie Tilley who volleyed home for 4-0.

Both sides continued to press forward. Joe Hurdman tested Oxenham on 81 minutes. On for skipper Lemon, Joe cut in from the right but his strong shot was well saved. A couple of minutes later he teed Dugmore up with a deep cross. On this occasion the target was missed but Duggers was not done. On 88 minutes he chased a ball played over the Westfields back four, nicking it past the approaching but now airborne Oxenham whose foot struck the Spa star’s chest, knocking him to the floor and preventing a shot at the open goal. For those of us old enough to remember the 1982 World Cup, it was reminiscent of German keeper Harold Schumacher’s horror challenge on France’ Patrick Battiston. Without question, the visiting stopper would be off. There was no question. Even the most avid Westfields supporter must have expected him to be given his marching orders.

The referee showed him the yellow card.

A spot of GBH is not enough to put Alex Dugmore off and he had the last laugh. With 90 minutes on the imaginary clock, Duggers was on the end of the move of the match. Excellent build up play by Sam and Joe Hurdman ripped the Fields defence apart and Sir Alex did the rest. Four goals on the night and a 5-0 win for the Saltmen.

A top quality performance from Droitwich has announced their arrival in the Hellenic Premier division. It’s difficult to find fault with anyone in the red and black, so I won’t bother.

And so to the FTS Man of The Match. This was more difficult than usual. For a start, Lewis Phillips was injured and didn’t play. This reduced his chances by about 25%. The back four were all superb as were the midfield and widemen. It’s very hard to look past a man who has repeated his, now annual, four goal August game. But, I’m going to do that and award the honour to Jack Brighton. Rock solid at the back and a constant danger going forward, Jack offers an alternate attacking option and a reliable lay off to the midfield.

A great display by the Saltmen lapped up by the 306 in attendance.

Who’s going to Thornbury on Saturday?

See you there.

Cheers

FTS