FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

Hellenic League Premier Division

04 October 2025

It’s much easier to write about a subject when events have been really good or really bad. Today was neither. There were some very good bits and some inexplicably bad bits but largely an enjoyable game to watch.

Royal Wootton Bassett Town are a young side. Chatting with a travelling Town supporter before the game we learned that last season’s manager left the club during the summer and took a significant part of the first team squad with him. Ultimately, that might end up being a blessing in disguise. This season’s team play neat, attractive football. They have a resilient back line and decent goalkeeper. I suspect they will be a strong side in the coming years if they can keep the core of the squad together and gather a little more experience.

The game started brightly for the Saltmen creating some decent half chances and took the lead after 7 minutes as Charlie Tilley lashed a ten yard volley past House in the RWBTFC [Club initials. Not one of those new genders – Ed] goal.
Spa continued to take the lion’s share of possession but it was the visitors who looked like scoring the next goal and had it not been for Dom Rogerson’s alertness that could well have been the case as Town carved out a handful of promising opportunities but could not find a way past the Spa stopper.
In fact, it was Droitwich who scored next. On 40 minutes Spa were awarded a free kick, about 25 yards from goal and fairly central. Perry Moss beat the wall and his shot bounced awkwardly just in front of House and into the bottom right corner and Spa took a 2-0 lead into the half time break.

The second period was much more equally balanced in terms of possession and chances. The Saltmen were unable to exert the same level of dominance they had against Roman Glass in the previous game at Kingys.
shortly after the break it looked like a nice interchange between Alex Dugmore and Reiss Tailor-Randle looked to have given Spa a third goal and a fourth in consecutive games for the summer signing. Sadly, despite appearing to be behind the ball, Reiss was adjudged to have been offside and the goal was chalked off. Almost immediately Town moved the ball forward down the left side and the subsequent cross was tucked away by Kassa Anderson.
Both sides traded half chances but there were no further goals and Droitwich took all three points to extend their unbeaten run to eight games.

The Following The Saltmen Man of the Match award goes to Joe Clayton who had a strong game in the centre of defence.
The last word goes to the officials who, up to the 80th minute had managed the game very well. I’d go as far as to say they were the best referee and linesmen we have seen this season. However, with about 10 minutes to play, Spa substitute Sam Hurdman was booked for rolling the ball back to his opponents, following an infringement. Shortly afterwards , he was inexplicably shown a second yellow for what I can only imagine was time wasting. Both incidents happened right in front of your correspondent and neither warranted even a talking to, let alone a booking. One can only feel sorry for Sam who, you may recall, was booked for simulation while sustaining a season ending injury a couple of years ago.

Next up, we welcome Inkberrow in the County Cup, later today.

See you there.

Cheers

FTS