Mangotsfield United 3-2 Droitwich Spa

Hellenic League Premier Division

Saturday 7th November 2026

Attendance: 201

It is, perhaps, fitting that on this weekend of remembrance we should hear what may be the death knell of any lingering hopes Spa had of making the end of season playoffs.

Excluding players’ family members, club officials and former players, I counted nine members of Salt Nation who made the journey down the Ms 5, 4, 32 and the Bristol ring road, to the leafy suburb of Mangotsfield and their fabulous Cossham Street stadium. And it really is a stadium. The main Ralph Miller stand dominates the clubhouse side of the ground. Opposite this are two free-standing covered terraces, similar to the one at Kingys. Both goal ends and are fully covered standing areas. It really is a great place to watch football. So it came as something of a surprise the kick arrived in an unusually sparsely populated ground. Later we learned that Bristol City were playing at home and this, understandably, explained it. Also, at nine, the number of Spa supporters was significantly lower than the massed ranks who travelled to watch the then high-flying Saltmen, somewhat fortuitously, pick up the points in last season’s fixture.

A lot of water has flowed under a lot of bridges since then and the luck certainly seems to have deserted the Droitwich lads over the last 12 months. But of course, there’s much more than luck to consider when trying to understand the rather dramatic decline in Spa’s on-field results. The referee assisted defeat in the playoff final set the ball in motion. The subsequent departure of six regular first team players was a blow that would be a problem to most clubs and to then see long term manager and club legend Andy Crowther leave the club along with his well established coaching team was, in the terms of non-league football clubs, a seismic shock.

In response, prompt action by the board installed Quentin Townsend as its new manager. He and his new coaching team introduced a number of talented but inexperienced players to the squad. Early season was hampered by holidays, injuries, suspensions, and a referee far more interested in his social media presence than managing a game of football. Here at FTS we are so incensed by this opening day debacle that we have still not gone into print about it. [And our lawyers won’t let us – Ed].

Results picked up in late September/early October with Spa enjoying a four game unbeaten run in the league which included two big wins over Malmesbury and Cribbs and a first away league win of the season at Bradford Town. Then fortunes changed. In near hurricane conditions at Kingys, a 92nd minute equaliser from Ed Bridge could not secure a point against Fairford as the visitors snatched a winner in the 94th minute. Spa had much of the play at Westfields, squared the game at 2-2 in the 79th minute thanks to a brace crackers from Alex Dugmore and Perry Moss, only to concede the eventual winner two minutes later. Droitwich and that Dugmore fella, twice responded to opposition goals at Jamie Lucas Town in the Who Cares Cup, only to succumb to two late goals from Jamie’s teammates.

But back to Mangotsfield and the Saltmen came out of the traps very positively, playing some neat football on the 4G surface. The midfield engine room had the better of the Mangoes and Spa created a number of half chances without really working Ellis Parker in the home goal quite as hard as the bloke who went to collect balls which went over the fence! The most significant moment in the first half was probably the sending off of Mangoes’ number 4, Mircea Ilea, for a 30th-minute stamp on Alex Dugmore. The luckless centre-back left the field holding his shoulder in clear discomfort, which must have detracted from the honour of having first use of the soap. Matters got worse for the home team ten minutes later when the impressive Archie Morris fell awkwardly with what appeared to be a nasty ankle injury. The United number six had to be helped from the field by teammates and club officials to a sympathetic round of applause from supporters of both sides. Down to ten men and having lost two key defensive players the Mangoes must have hoped halftime would arrive so they could regroup. But football has a habit of kicking you when you’re down and, with Morris just reaching the changing room door, strong work in a crowded penalty area saw Dugmore squeeze the ball to George Dalton, who swept the ball sweetly past Parker to give Spa the lead which on the balance of play was probably deserved. 

I’m not sure what was said in the home changing room over the break but it certainly did the trick. Within five minutes the ten men of Mangotsfield found space and numbers in the Spa area, drew a lunging tackle from a Spa defender (no names) and the referee quite rightly pointed to the spot. Mangoes captain Lewis Powell made no mistake with the spot kick and the scores were level. Droitwich had no answer to a rejuvenated United and three minutes later Will Ashton found himself unmarked and in acres of space on the edge of the Spa box allowing him to confidently beat the helpless Dom Rogerson and put the home side ahead. With Spa stung into action they regained control of the midfield and enjoyed a decent period of possession, gradually building pressure on the home side. A combination of strong running and heavy bombardment of crosses deep into the box had the Mangoes on the back foot and on 76 minutes it paid dividends as Alex Dugmore was first to a near post cross and a bullet-like header gave the Spa hitman his seventh goal in the last 6 games!

At 2-2 the Saltmen pushed forward hungry for all three points. The bombardment persisted, yet the home defence remained steady. Aware that Droitwich were committing numbers forward, they launched a counter-attack in the 83rd minute. The visitors defence was stretched and desperate last gasp defending led to another clear penalty award. This time it was halftime substitute George Neill who stepped up and gave Rogerson no chance. A fast and furious final seven minutes saw Spa throw new signing Lewis Moseley into the fray. They also chucked the kitchen sink and any other available white goods at the hosts but to no avail. The final whistle was blown by referee Liam Beames who, much to my annoyance, had a good game, with he and his assistants getting all the key decisions right. 

The Droitwich players were clearly very disappointed at the result (some visibly), yet even if I wanted, I would find it difficult to say anyone had a poor game. They all played their hearts (and lungs) out for the cause. If effort and application were all that were needed for success then the Saltmen would be right up at the interesting end of the table. And there’s no lack of talent. We have a spine of solid, experienced step-five players and a number of very talented young players coming through. And it is one of these younger players, George Dalton, who wins the much-coveted nod as FTS Man of The Match. George has been a delight to watch since being introduced to the first team. His pace and direct running bring an added dimension to our attacking options and he gets better every time he plays! Hopefully, the knock he picked up during this game is only a minor issue and he is back to full fitness very shortly. Honourable mentions must also go to Cory Rudd, Nathan Binner, Joe Clayton and Alex Dugmore. They all put in huge performances and, with their respective abilities to perform multiple roles, remain the nucleus of the side.

So, the big question must be, why is a side that is playing decent football losing games which look to be within their grasp. We all have our opinions and mine is no more or no less valid than anyone else’s. It appears to me that we are in dire need of reinforcements. FTS understands that two more players have signed or will be signing for Droitwich very soon and, with James Lemmon and Curtis Smith returning from suspension, some relief may be available. However, I suspect an underlying lack of belief may be the issue. In previous years, with a settled squad, players had the confidence to look around and know where their teammates would be and what they could achieve. A lack of familiarity and a degree of unease inevitably creeps in following the upheavals of the summer. If that is the problem then it is primarily the job of the coaching team to instil that sense of confidence but we the supporters can play our part too. If we can continue to lend our unqualified support to the team whenever we can, then that must go at least some way to help.

Thanks to everyone at Mangotsfield for their welcome and sporting attitude. We send our best wishes for a speedy recovery to the players who sustained their injuries and wish you a successful and enjoyable remainder of the season. 

As for the Saltmen, it’s onwards and upwards on Tuesday as we travel to the delightful surrounds of Hereford Pegasus. We owe ’em one after last season!

See you there.

Cheers

FTS