FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

The Saltmen bowed out of the FA Vase in round one after a disappointing defeat at step 6 Radford FC.

I thought I would try something new this week. A quick match report , written on the coach back from Nottingham.

But it didn’t work. That may have been because the brand new leather appointed coach was moving and making it difficult to write legibly with my crayons. It could also be the result of a miscalculation on the liquid intake front, leaving me a little over-hydrated. Hmmm. Probably the latter!

In fairness, football aside, it was a good day out. Having narrowly avoided leaving a significant proportion of the management team in Droitwich, the trip to Nottingham in the aforementioned plush coach was very smooth with no major delays. On arrival in Radford, a number of the Spa faithful ventured to a local pub run, coincidentally, by a close family member of the late proprietor of Witton Post Office.

FTS headed straight for Radford’s excellent Selhurst Street ground and welcoming clubhouse bar where the Nottingham Forest v Chelsea game was being shown. While we were enjoying the comfortable settings, Forest boss Ange Postecoglou was busy getting himself sacked and becoming perhaps the least surprising managerial casualty so far this season. I bet he wishes he’d missed the coach.

Anywho, Nottingham’s most important game of the day started to the sound of the Radford Ultras’ drummer 🥁. But it was the visitors who made the early running and looked in control of the game until Radford suspended the good host theme by scoring the opener in the eighth minute. Nashien Isman picking up a flick on from a set-piece and confidently finding the Spa net. The Saltmen responded positively, creating a number of openings for the equaliser that would not arrive during the first period. Meanwhile, Radford took every opportunity to hit Droitwich on the break but were also frustrated in front of goal. After lengthy delays for treatment to both club captains, the first half drew to a close just before 4.00 by which time, a well known Aussie coach was submitting another claim for universal credit and the red part of Laceopolis was calling for the return of “our number nine.”

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, with both sides striving to create opportunities. Neither goalkeeper was particularly troubled until on 60 minutes when Charlie Tilley received the ball on the right side of the Radford box and struck a powerful shot on goal. There might have been a hint of a deflection but the Saltmen had their equaliser. Spa manager Andy Crowther then introduced players off the bench. With Liam Livesey, Sam and Joe Hurdman joining the action Spa had a different aspect to their play and looked dangerous.

In Dimmock-Fox, Radford look to have some real quality. It was he who put Fagbemi into a shooting position that would not be wasted. The hosts had a lead which they would not relinquish despite surviving a very strong shout for a penalty when Sam Hurdman was upended in the box just as he was pulling the trigger. Sadly for Spa, the Cub Scout dressed up as a referee by the Nottinghamshire FA, bottled the decision. Neither of the juvenile assistant referees offered any assistance whatsoever.

The football authorities keep banging on about respecting referees. And I promise I will….just as soon as they send us one!

If this sounds like sour grapes, then it should take nothing away from the Radford side. They got their game plan right and took their chances very well. And that’s what cup football is about.

Good luck to The Pheasants for the next round, and the rest of their season. A cracking club with a great ground. Loads of cover and proper floodlights too. Thank you to the friendly club officials and supporters who made us feel very welcome.

As for your Saltmen, it was great to see so many Spa supporters make the trip to Nottingham. I’m not sure what the official attendance was but I suspect Spa fans made up over half of the number.

On the field, it’s back on the road next Saturday as the lads travel to the north Bristol home of Roman Glass St George in a table topping six pointer. The first fixture between the two clubs, a few weeks ago, was a great game.

See you there.

Cheers

FTS