FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

UhlSport Hellenic League Premier Division

Saturday 15 November 2025

Attendance: 160

I’ve mentioned the naming of weather systems in previous posts. It’s unnecessary and childish. And stupid! Apparently the storm which swept across the region last week was called Claudia. What a wasted opportunity that was. Surely, Cloudier would have been better than Claudier. They should learn from this and when it gets round to the G’s again I will look forward to storm Gail.

Anywho, whatever the storm’s name, it certainly left a lot of rain behind. So much so that as of Friday evening it looked certain to be postponed. The club even cancelled the print run of the Programmes for the first time in club history. Fortunately, the investment in the pitch over the last couple of summers, paid off and on inspection at 8am on Saturday morning it was passed as playable. And so it proved as both teams served up an entertaining game with both playing neat passing football.

In truth, the game was a little one-sided. Spa started brightly and kept on creating chances. Confident goalkeeping from MacKenzie Welsh and stubborn defending from the Thorns back line kept the Saltmen at bay.

Spa even tried the experimental use of backs to break the deadlock. A long pass to Josh Hurdman was brought down and controlled by the wizard of wide using his back to wrong foot the Thorns left back. Josh then struck a cross in towards James Lemon. Inspired by Hurdman’s improvisation, the Spa skipper tried to catch the Thorns out. Rather than predictably heading the ball, Lem guided the ball towards goal with his back. And it nearly worked. Only quick reactions from Welsh prevented to ball looping into the goal.

We were also treated to an Alex Dugmore bicycle kick. Clearly being beaten to the FTS Goal of the Season award last year still stings and he was keen to put an early claim in for this year’s award. His spectacular effort was clutched by Welsh who must have his money on Jack Davies to repeat his win.

Never deterred, Duggers bagged an assist in the 36th minute as his deft ball over the Thornbury back four put Nathan Binner clear to equally deftly lift the ball over Welsh from 20 yards into the visitors’ goal to open the scoring.

The sides went into the half time break with a scoreline of 1-0 but it didn’t take long for Spa to double the advantage after the restart. A neat six yard headed finish from Charlie Tilley in the 47th minute made it 2-0 to Droitwich. While the Thorns continued to counter the Spa dominance, their star man was Welsh. The Thornbury keeper made a string of incredible saves to keep his team in the game and frustrate the Saltmen. Finally even his efforts had to give under the weight of Spa pressure. A fabulous through ball from Sam Hurdman put the charging Jack Brighton in on goal and his fierce near post strike evaded Welsh to secure the three points.

But Thornbury were not done. They looked to have pulled a goal back with a minute of going three down. The ball found the Spa net but the assistant referee’s flag meant the goal was chalked off.

A very professional performance by the Saltmen which also saw the introduction of new signing Soms Sibanda from the bench with an impressive cameo performance. I can see Soms becoming a firm favourite with the Droitwich faithful.

With so many good performances from the Spa side it is another difficult choice for the Following The Saltmen Man of the Match award. After much consideration the award goes to Josh Hurdman who’s first half torture of the opposing left back marked a welcome return to form following a lengthy injury break.

The win puts Spa in second place in the table, equal on points with Roman Glass but one behind on goal difference. Spa still have a game in hand on the Glass.

Next up, we go to Newent Town to take on the Daffodils on in the Wiseman Lighting Cupon Tuesday evening.

See you there.

Cheers

FTS