Hellenic League, Premier Division
Saturday 12th September 2026
Attendance: 140
The commercial management of other clubs is none of my business, so I apologise if we overstep the mark here. It just seems to me that Crapper & Sons Landfill Ltd of Wootton Bassett would be an ideal partner for the club which offers the best Gents toilet facilities in football. I don’t wish to cast any aspersions over the provision of Gents toilet facilities at the neighbouring rugby club but I’m willing to bet they are slightly less impressive than those at the football club, over the road. That to me, is a missed opportunity.
Sadly for the Saltmen, this was not the only example of a missed opportunity the select band of travelling Spa supporters would be faced with on what proved to be a frustrating afternoon.
To be brutally honest, the hosts probably had the best of the first half which screamed out that both sides were struggling to find form. As has been the case throughout the early part of this season, Spa were unable to field an unchanged team. A series of injuries, holidays and suspensions have taken their toll on selection decisions. This game was no exception. Through necessity, Alex Dugmore, the club’s leading scorer over the last two seasons was required to revert to playing in his old position at centre back rather than centre forward, leaving Spa a little short of a target man up front. However, this did provide an opportunity for George Dalton to rejoin the starting line-up and he provided one of the few positive aspects of the first half. The nippy wide-man repeatedly got in behind the home back line and put in a series of dangerous crosses which on other days may well have been converted.
Midfield lynchpin Cory Rudd had been rested to the bench but was called into action earlier than planned when Bailey Bow pulled up with an injury after only 20 minutes. A couple of set piece chances came and went but the goalless scoreline at half time was a realistic reflection of a largely forgettable first 45 minutes.
After the break for dehydration then rehydration we returned pitchside to see the Saltmen start the half brightly with Dalton and Curtis Smith creating problems for the hosts. Then injury struck again and the unfortunate Nathan Binner was replaced by Sam Hurdman. It didn’t take long for Sam to work Josh Sawyer in the hosts’ goal. The strike from the corner of the six yard box looked destined for the top corner but a strong hand from Sawyer turned the ball behind. By now Spa were effectively camped in the RWBT half, making wave after wave of attacking moves and pinning their opponents back to the edge of the penalty area. Closest to scoring was Spa skipper James Lemon whose powerful close range effort hit the outside of the net with Sawyer beaten. Credit must be given to the RWBT defence who repeatedly threw themselves at goal-bound strikes.
And then, with the game approaching injury time Spa fell to the sucker punch. Albeit, self induced! With Spa pushing for the points, Alex Dugmore was switched to playing up front. Inevitably, this led to reduced cover at the back and a long ball over the top resulted in a misunderstanding between remaining centre back Sam Carey and keeper Dom Rogerson. The pair collided in a darkly comedic manner, leaving substitute Freddie Wyatt with an easy tap in to take the points completely against the run of play.
Yesterday’s results leave Spa as the division’s bottom club but have the chance to change that on Tuesday evening when we welcome Cribbs to Kingys.
It also gives us supporters the opportunity to get behind the lads and support them when they need it most. This is our opportunity to make a difference and it’s not one we can afford to miss!
See you there
Cheers
FTS
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