Westfields 3 – 2 Droitwich Spa

Hellenic League Premier Division

31 October 2026

Attendance: 150

As a supporter, some defeats are harder to take than others. When you lose after being played off the park you just have to shrug it off and put it down to a bad day at the office. A glass or two of an isotonic beer/cider/wine and a moan with your mates also helps. The thing is, there have been a few occasions this season when the Saltmen have been the better team and still got beat. Saturday’s game at Westfields was one of those games.

Suspensions from the Fairford game, injuries and illness had hit the squad hard. Manager Quentin Townsend did not even have enough players available to fill the visitors’ bench with a full complement of substitutes. Hardly ideal preparations for a game against a side with a reputedly generous playing budget.

But, the Saltmen are made of stern stuff and came out determined to make the best of a difficult situation. They came out of the blocks strongly and made much of the early running. Fan favourite Alex Dugmore was soon making his presence felt with his strength in the air and strike partner Ed Bridge putting in a lot of running to give the Westfields rearguard little time to dwell on the ball. Unfortunately for Spa, they were unable to convert possession into goals and the hosts gradually grew into the game. With five former Spa players in their squad, it was no surprise that at least one of them would get on the score sheet. Sure enough, one of the former Spa players, Dan Cottrill, found himself in far too much space and punished some lax defending by putting ‘Field into the lead shortly before half time. It was hard on Droitwich but they went into the halftime break a goal down.

Undeterred, the Saltmen emerged for the second half positively and continued to take the game to Westfields. Then, on 57 minutes another Droitwich old-boy, James Baldwin, delivered what looked to been a potential coup-de-grace by grabbing a second Westfields goal. But Spa were far from done. Substitute George Dalton had other ideas. On 66 minutes the pacey wideman picked the ball on the left side, beat his man and took the ball to the line before crossing the ball neatly onto Alex Dugmore who, being Alex Dugmore, headed powerfully home to give Spa lifeline.

With the Droitwich midfield winning ball, seemingly at will, it felt like another goal must come. In fact, the equaliser owed more than a little to good fortune. A Westfields defender made what looked like an excellent challenge to break up a threatening spell of Spa pressure, however, the referee adjudged the challenge a foul and awarded the Saltmen a free kick just outside the box. Perry Moss stepped up and his bending shot beat the wall and the scrambling Matt Gwynn in the Field goal before finding the top corner and the score was level at 2-2.

Following the goal, Westfields introduced Tyrese Bhekumuzi to the game. The ball was played into the Spa box but not cleared to safety. It was returned to the Spa box and popped up invitingly to the waiting Bhekumuzi who unmarked, grabbed Westfields’ third goal.

Droitwich heads did not drop and in the closing ten minutes they practically laid siege to the hosts’ penalty area. Gwynn was tested by a series of Spa corners aimed just under his crossbar which he did well to push behind.

The Westfields defence ultimately held strong to hang on for the win. The manner of conceding the third goal clearly disappointed the Spa players but I would hope they recognise how well they played, under trying circumstances.

The much coveted Following The Saltmen Man of the Match award goes to Haydn Morris whose drive and ability took the game to his opponents while never took a backward step defensively.

Next up, it’s Pershore Town away on Tuesday.

See you there.

Cheers

FTS