DROITWICH Spa joint-boss Wayne Oliver believes this Saturday’s fixtures could be a defining point in his squad’s season.
The Saltmen drew 1-1 with relegation battlers Barnt Green Spartak at the weekend leaving them just two points ahead at the top of the Midland League Division Two table, but title rivals Chelmsley Town sit just three points behind Spa and have three games in hand.
However, this weekend the top four are all in action as the Saltmen are on the road to second place Rostance Edwards, while Chelmsley Town make the journey to fourth place – and unbeaten – Alvis Sporting Club.
And for Oliver, these fixtures could define where his side finish in the table come the end of the campaign.
“This weekend’s games are massive for us,” he said. “Where we finish at the end of the season all depends on Saturday’s results.
“For us personally, we are hoping that Alvis and Chelmsley draw but it would only be perfect if we manage to win at Rostance.
“If we can win and they draw, it will give us some breathing space at the top and that would be ideal.
“Alvis and Chelmsley have not played many games this season and will have a fixture backlog so hopefully this will be something that goes in our favour going into the latter stages of the season.
“It will be a tough game for sure. Rostance are a very good side. Their pitch is on a slope and the ground is tight so it’s going to be difficult but we have to go there and get the job done.”
Spa will meet Rostance for the first time this season in the league, but the two sides did play against each other in the Presidents Cup in September where the Saltmen ran out 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Macauley Finch, James Lemon and Haydn Morris.
However, after only managing a 1-1 home draw with third-from-bottom Barnt Green Spartak, Oliver hopes his side can return to winning ways.
“That was the worst performance of the season so far in my opinion,” he said.
“Not taking anything away from Barnt Green because they did well to get the draw, but we was so wasteful.
“We had enough chances in the first half to be two-or-three up going into the break.
“Defensively we was brilliant, but our attacking game just was not there.
“We need to be more ruthless this weekend and put the chances we get away.”
