FOLLOWING THE SALTMEN

Hellenic League Premier Division. Kingys – 31 January 2026

Attendance: 167

The combination of a fine performance by a makeshift Spa line-up and some eyebrow raising results elsewhere, saw the Saltmen return to the top of the Hellenic League Premier Division.

Given the weather conditions in Worcestershire over recent days there had been a little speculation as to whether the game would go ahead. But we no longer need to fear the rain at Kingys. The club has invested heavily in the playing surface over the last few years and it has paid off. With other games suffering cancellation, the conditions at Spa’s spiritual home were fine for a good game of football.

Likewise, we supporters no longer need to worry about a potential mid game downpour because we now have a NEW COVERED TERRACE. The stand was installed after the home fixture against Cinderford and offers standing accommodation for 100 under its column free roof. Not only does the new stand ensure the club facilities are compliant with Step 5 football but it also offers a great view while reducing the risk of pneumonia, consumption and trench foot breaking out among the faithful.

You can see the pitch from here!

…and here.

I could (and often do) talk for hours about football related architecture but there was the small matter of a Premier Division match to consider.

It has been a while since gaffer Andy Crowther has had the luxury of choosing from a fully fit squad. And this was no exception. Already missing the long term injured Jack Davies, Nathan Binner and Dom Rogerson to name just a few, the manager had to deal with the absences of inspirational captain James Lemon, inspirational striker Alex Dugmore and inspirational centre back Ben Tilbury.

While the uninitiated might think the visit of a team currently sitting in the bottom three would be a bit of a stroll in the park, a look at current form showed Cribbs came into the game unbeaten in their previous 5 games, including an impressive win away at Tuffley. And, as continues to be the case in this division, any team can beat any other.

Clearly keen to build on last week’s gutsy comeback performance at Corsham, the Droitwich side came out of the starting blocks quickly. The intention to play a fast passing and moving system was clear. It is testament to the strength of the squad that the coaching team can call on a wealth of talent more than capable of coming into the side and playing with confidence and a degree of style.

The first real chance came after 5 minutes when a fine strike from Charlie Tilley cleared the bar by fractions. On 14 minutes a trademark 20 yard howitzer from Cory Rudd would surely have ripped straight through the netting and the fence behind it had it not been for a smart saved from Cribbs keeper Greatbanks.

Let’s just stop for a moment at this point while we reflect on just what an amazingly good name that is for a goalkeeper. Greatbanks. It is the Mount Rushmore of surnames for custodians of onion bags everywhere. It honours the legacy of that colossus of English goalkeeping. The only English goalkeeper to win the World Cup. A man who thrived on cold Tuesday nights in Stoke. In short, Banks of England…..the Great Gordon Banks. If you were to write a book about goalkeepers then you would call the hero Greatbanks.

Brilliant name or not, it only took another minute before the first goal was scored. A neat interchange between Jack Brighton and Will Dallaway allowed the inspirational right back the opportunity to cut the ball back for Charlie Tilley whose confident strike to the far post gave then Saltmen a deserved lead. Spa continued to dominate possession. A fierce Baldwin strike on 22 minutes cleared the bar. Some excellent work from Dallaway ended with his cross finding Taylor-Randle who was just unable to find the finish to a good move.

Spa’s second goal arrived in the 27th minute. Baldwin, having a good afternoon on the left side, found Dallaway just inside the Cribbs box and the young attacker sent a no-doubter past Greatbanks to reward Droitwich for their dominance. Stung by the second goal, Cribbs fought back and almost equalised just after the half hour mark but Clayton’s free kick missed the target from a threatening position. Further half chances fell to Spa but the score was unchanged when the orange segments came out and the referee signalled it was time to change ends.

Cribbs started the second period more positively and both Yarde and Reid had chances but were unable to find the target. I think I may have popped out to turn my bike round because I missed the third Spa goal. I was reliably informed that Josh Hurdman received the ball in the box, turned and fired home from about 8 yards out. Subsequent video evidence courtesy of that nice Mr Mason confirms this was the case which seems just reward for another excellent outing from the Spa dangerman, who 5 minutes later saw his screamer of a volley just miss the woodwork in what would certainly have been a serious contender for goal of the season had it been a fraction lower.

Jack Brighton had one of those opportunities where you can’t decide whether to convert a cross with your head or your feet. In the interests of good sportsmanship he chose to do neither. A wise decision in these troubled times.

However, on 67 minutes, Rohan Levy revealed he still has a lot to learn about diplomacy when, with little regard for world peace, he recklessly guided a Josh Hurdman cross into the Cribbs goal for 4-0.

Inspirational centre back Jay Sauntson tried to restore order by missing a good chance in front of goal but it was too late. The minor faux pas must have angered the referee who with 5 minutes remaining showed Rohan a second yellow card.

Joe Stockton in the Spa goal had been enjoying a relatively quiet afternoon until late on when he was called upon to make a couple of top quality stops to preserve the clean sheet.

There were strong performances throughout the Droitwich team but the FTS Man of the Match award this week goes to Will Dallaway who has made an impressive return to his alma mater.

Elsewhere in the HLP, two results stand out as we approach the final quarter of the league season. Slimbridge lost heavily for the second week in a row, going down 4-0 at Hallen. The other standout scoreline was Pershore’s 2-0 win at Cirencester who had been unbeaten in 2026. With Roman Glass having a week off, Spa returned to the top of the table.

Next up we welcome Lydney Town FC to Kingys on Saturday 7th February.

See you there.

Cheers

FTS